Rodent containment cage monitoring apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatuses and systems for convenient management of animals within a rodent containment cage system that includes labeling components, receiving data, associating the data, reporting the data and/or associations and locating components within the cage system. The management of the system may be self-contained, networked through a controller, local server and/or main server.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/541,859, filed Sep. 30, 2011, entitled “RodentContainment Cage Monitoring Apparatus and Methods”, naming Dee L. Congeret al. as inventors. This application also claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,855, filed Jun. 10, 2011,entitled “Rodent Containment Cage Monitoring Apparatus and Methods”,naming Dee L. Conger et al. as inventors. This application also claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/391,972, filedOct. 11, 2010, entitled “Rodent Containment Cage Monitoring Apparatusand Methods”, naming Dee L. Conger et al. as inventors.

This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/112,588, filed Nov. 7, 2008, entitled “Rack System and Monitoringfor Animal Husbandry”, naming Dee L. Conger et al. as inventors. Thisapplication is also related to Patent Application No. 60/911,271, filedApr. 11, 2007, naming Dee L. Conger, Thomas M. Perazzo, FrancescaMcGuffie, and Matthew D. d'Artenay as inventors, entitled “AnimalHusbandry Drawer Caging Systems and Components” , to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/979,721, filed Oct. 12, 2007, naming Dee L.Conger and Thomas M. Perazzo as inventors, entitled “Animal HusbandryDrawer Caging”, both of which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety. This application is also related to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Nos. 60/635,756, 60/690,811 and 60/717,826 filed on13 Dec. 2004, 14 Jun. 2005 and 16 Sep. 2005, respectively, entitled“Animal Containment Systems And Components,” naming Thomas Perazzo andDee Conger as inventors. This application is also related to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/734,229 and 60/734,189, eachfiled on 7 Nov. 2005, entitled “Containment Systems And Components ForAnimal Husbandry,” naming Thomas Perazzo and Dee Conger as inventors.This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/804,554 filed on 12 Jun. 2006, entitled “Containment Systems AndComponents For Animal Husbandry,” naming Dee Conger et al. as inventors.This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNos. 60/822,755 and 60/822,914 filed on 17 Aug. 2006 and 18 Aug. 2006,entitled “Containment Systems And Components For Animal Husbandry,”naming Dee Conger et al. as inventors. This application is also relatedto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/300,664 filed on 13 Dec. 2005,International Patent Application No. PCT/US2005/044977 filed on 13 Dec.2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/423,949 filed on Jun. 13,2006, and International Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/023038, eachentitled “Containment Systems And Components For Animal Husbandry,” eachnaming Dee Conger et al. as inventors, International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/US2007/018255, filed Aug. 17, 2007, naming Dee L. Conger, ThomasM. Perazzo, Matthew D. d'Artenay and Francesca McGuffie as inventors,entitled “Containment Systems and Components for Animal Husbandry”.

Each of the foregoing patent applications is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The technology relates in part to the field of animal husbandry and toanimal containment.

BACKGROUND

Animal containment systems are utilized in a variety of applications,such as for animal transportation, breeding and maintenance. Animalscontained in the systems often are laboratory animals such as rodents,and such animals often are contained in a vivarium. Containment systemsmay include animal cages in which the animals are housed and a rack unitonto which cages are mounted. Animals contained in such systems emitseveral gaseous and particulate contaminates that are health risks tohoused animals and human personnel maintaining the systems. Generally,permanent or multiple-use cages are designed for multiple uses, whichrequires they are washed and sterilized about every week for two yearsor more in an animal containment facility, for example, especially in afacility practicing Good Laboratory Procedures (GLPs). Multiple-usecages generally are heavy and have relatively thick walls and componentsoften are constructed from resilient materials that can withstandmultiple washes and sterilizations. Such cages may be disposed in a rackthat holds multiple cages in order to house the animals moreefficiently, however, it may be inconvenient to remove the cages fromsuch rack in order to perform cleaning and other maintenance work. Dueto these aspects of typical multiple-use animal containment systems, asignificant portion of animal containment resources are required forwashing and sterilizing multiple-use components. Multiple-use cagedesigns also can present disadvantages with respect to contamination,such as requiring contaminated air filter handling or exposure of cagecomponents to the environment when a cage impacts a surface (e.g., acage is dropped by a user or falls from an elevation), for example,which bear especially on handling of animals in higher biosafety levelanimal facilities. As such, what has been needed are animal containmentcages and management systems that eliminate the need for regular washingof cages, provide a safe and healthy environment for contained animalsand optionally provide an efficient means for housing and maintaining alarge number of animals in a limited space.

SUMMARY

Provided in some embodiments are rodent containment cage systems,comprising a first cage component comprising a first detectableidentifier and a second cage component comprising a second detectableidentifier, the second cage component covering the first detectableidentifier, and a detector, whereby the detector is configured to detectthe first detectable identifier and the second detectable identifier. Insome embodiments, the first cage component, second cage component, orfirst cage component and second cage component includes two or moreidentifiers. In certain embodiments, the identifier is selected from thegroup consisting of bar codes, serial numbers, radio frequencyidentifiers, discoloring polymers, reflective identifiers,non-reflective identifiers, magnetic identifiers, symbolic codes,chemical sensor identifiers, infrared wavelength identifiers, opticalwavelength identifiers, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments,the identifier serves as a clocking identifier, a cage positionidentifier, a content identifier, or combination thereof. The detectormay be in effective connection with a rack. The detector may attach to ashelf in the rack and the first and second cage components may engagewith the shelf. The rack may comprise a shelf that includes a channelinto which a portion of the cage can slide and the detector is locatedon the shelf in proximity to the channel and is configured to detect thefirst and second detectable identifiers when the cage is slid into thechannel and the first and second detectable identifies pass thedetector. A detector may attach to a side of the shelf in the rack andthe first and second cage components each may include a flange whereby asurface of each flange of the first and second cage component maycontact each other when the cage components are engaged and identifiersare located on the flange of each cage component, and the detector isin-line with the flanges and identifiers on the cage components fordetection. The detector may employ materials selected from the groupconsisting of mechanical, magnetic, magnetic optical, optical,automatic, chemical sensing, fluorescence sensing components orcombinations thereof. The detector may be located in a handheld device.The detector may be located on a cage component. The cage component maybe selected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, cage basecomponent, air supply or air exhaust component, water supply component,sensor component, filter component, baffle component or feedercomponent. One or more identifiers may be located on back of a cagecomponent, on the side or sides of a cage component, on top of a cagecomponent, on one or more flanges of a cage component, on a non-cageitem, on a rack component, juxtaposed to another identifier, overlappinganother identifier, or combinations thereof. The identifier may beplaced on one or more cage components by a process selected from thegroup consisting of heat, ink jet, embossing, laser impression, sticker,adhesive, discoloring polymers, electromagnetic wavelength absorbingpolymer additives, magnets, or fasteners. The system may comprise adisplay; the display may be located on a rack of the system; and thedisplay may be located in a location remote from the rack. The systemmay further comprise one or more indicators on a rack of the containmentcage system. The term “shelf” as used herein refers to one or more rackcomponents that are utilized to support a cage or cage component (e.g.,a cage mount).

Also provided is a rodent containment cage system comprising one or morecage components comprising a first detectable identifier and a seconddetectable identifier, and a detector, where the detector is configuredto detect the first detectable identifier or the second detectableidentifier. Sometimes the cage component is a lid. Sometimes the cagecomponent is a cage base. Sometimes the cage components are a cage lidand a cage base. Sometimes the detector is attached to a cage mountassembly. Sometimes the detector is part of the front module of a cagemount assembly.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage system, comprising one ormore cage components comprising a first detectable identifier and asecond detectable identifier, and a first detector and a seconddetector, where the first detector is configured to detect the firstdetectable identifier and the second detector is configured to detectthe second detectable identifier. Sometimes the cage component is a lid.Sometimes were the cage component is a cage base. Sometimes the cagecomponents are a cage lid and a cage base. Sometimes the first andsecond detectable identifiers are on opposite sides along the length ofa cage. Sometimes the first and second detectors are on adjacent cagemount assembles attached to a cage rack. Sometimes the first detector isconfigured to detect the first detectable identifier and the seconddetector is configured to detect the second detectable identifier whenthe cage is slid into the cage mount assemblies.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage system, comprising a cagecomponent comprising a detectable identifier and a first detectorconfigured to detect the identifier. Sometimes the cage component iscage lid. Sometimes the cage component is cage base. Sometimes thedetector is attached to a cage mount assembly. Sometimes the detector ispart of the front module of a cage mount assembly. Sometimes thedetector is configured to detect the detectable identifier when a cagecomprising the cage component with the identifier is slid into the cagemount assemblies.

Provided also in some embodiments is a rodent containment cage,comprising a base that includes a first detectable identifier, and a lidcomprising a second detectable identifier, affixed to the base, andcovering the first detectable identifier, whereby the second detectableidentifier is located in proximity to the first detectable identifier.In some embodiments, a detector is configured to detect the firstdetectable identifier and the second detectable identifier. In certainembodiments, the base or lid includes two or more identifiers. In someembodiments, the identifier is selected from the group consisting of barcodes, serial numbers, radio frequency identifiers, discoloringpolymers, reflective identifiers, non-reflective identifiers, magneticidentifiers, symbolic codes, chemical sensor identifiers, orcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the identifier serves as aclocking identifier, a cage position identifier, a content identifier,or combination thereof. The detector may be in effective connection withthe cage, and the detector may be located on a cage component. The base,lid or both may be substantially transparent. One or more identifiersmay be located on the back of the base or lid, on the side or sides ofthe base or lid, on top of the base or lid, on one or more flanges ofthe base or lid, juxtaposed to another identifier, overlapping anotheridentifier, or combinations thereof. The identifier may be placed on oneor more cage components by a process selected from the group consistingof heat, ink jet, embossing, laser impression, sticker, adhesive,discoloring polymers, magnets, or fasteners.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage, comprising one or morecomponents with a first detectable identifier and second detectableidentifier. Sometimes the cage component is a lid. Sometimes were thecage component is a cage base. Sometimes the cage components are a cagelid and a cage base. Sometimes the first and second identifiers are onopposite sides of the length of a cage. Sometimes the first identifierand the second identifier are the same. Sometimes the first identifierand the second identifier are different. Sometimes the first and seconddetectable identifiers comprise bar codes.

In some embodiments, one or more identifiers are configured so they donot overlap with one another. In certain embodiments, one or moreidentifiers are configured so two or more identifiers overlap. In someembodiments having overlapping identifiers, the identifiers can beoffset from each other thereby generating regions of non-overlappingidentifiers and regions of overlapping identifiers. In some embodiments,overlapping identifiers are detected by the same detector, and incertain embodiments, overlapping identifiers are detected by differentdetectors. In certain embodiments, each identifier in an overlappingidentifier configuration is detected by a different detector. In someembodiments, each cage component has 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, ormore than 5 independently detectable identifiers, and in certainembodiments, a subset or all of the independently detectable identifierscan be detected in various combinations. In some embodiments having twoor more identifiers (e.g., overlapping or non-overlapping), portions orall of the identifiers may be redundant. The detector may be connectedto a shelf in a rack in some embodiments.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage, comprising a component witha detectable identifier.

Also provided in some embodiments is a method for detecting identifierson a rodent containment cage, comprising engaging a cage with a shelf ofa rack, the cage comprising a base that includes a first detectableidentifier and lid that includes a second detectable identifier, and theshelf comprising a detector; and sliding the cage into the shelf,whereby the first detectable identifier and the second detectableidentifier are detected by the detector as they pass the detector whenthe cage is slid into the shelf. In some embodiments, the lid covers thefirst detectable identifier and first detectable identifier is detectedthrough the lid. In certain embodiments, the detector is an opticalreader, the first detectable identifier and the second detectableidentifier are configured for optical detection, and the lid issubstantially transparent. In some embodiments, the first detectableidentifier and the second detectable identifier are arranged in-line. Incertain embodiments, the lid or the base includes two or more detectableidentifiers. The detectable identifier may be selected from the groupconsisting of bar codes, serial numbers, radio frequency identifiers,discoloring polymers, reflective identifiers, non-reflectiveidentifiers, magnetic identifiers, symbolic codes, chemical sensoridentifiers, and combinations thereof. The detectable identifier mayserve as a clocking identifier, a cage position identifier, a contentidentifier, or combination thereof. The shelf may further comprise achannel and the cage can slide into the shelf by engaging the channel.

Also provided is a method for detecting identifiers on a rodentcontainment cage, comprising engaging a cage with rail guides onadjacent first and second cage mount assemblies of a rack, the cagecomprising a first detectable identifier and a second detectableidentifier, and the first and second cage mount assemblies eachcomprising a detector, and sliding the cage into the cage mountassemblies thereby contacting the cage lid with the rail guides of thefirst and second cage mount assemblies, whereby the first detectableidentifier is detected by the detector on the first cage mount assemblyand the second detectable identifier is detected by the detector on thesecond cage mount assembly as each identifier passes each detector whenthe cage is slid into the first and second cage mount assemblies.Sometimes the detectable identifiers comprise bar codes.

Also provided is a method for detecting an identifier on a rodentcontainment cage, comprising engaging a cage with a rail guide on a cagemount assembly of a rack, the cage comprising a detectable identifierand the cage mount assembly comprising a detector and sliding the cageinto the cage mount assembly thereby contacting the cage lid with therail guide of the cage mount assembly, whereby the detectable identifieris detected by the detector on the cage mount assembly as the identifierpasses the detector when the cage is slid into the cage mount assembly.

In some embodiments, one or more identifiers are transparent or opaqueto one or more detection means (e.g., electromagnetic radiation).Generally, electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by an object ischaracteristic of the object's electromagnetic spectrum, whichelectromagnetic spectrum often can be detected. Electromagneticradiation often includes features such as electromagnetic frequenciesand/or electromagnetic wavelengths and an electromagnetic spectrumsometimes comprises substantially all readily detectable electromagneticradiation. Transparency and/or opaqueness to one or more electromagneticfeatures can be predetermined by the use of various detectable materialsand detectors. Detectable materials sometimes are part of, included inor layered on materials utilized to generate cage components describedherein. In some embodiments, a cage component may be transparent to somewavelengths, but not all electromagnetic wavelengths (e.g., opaque tosome wavelengths). In some embodiments, one or more cage components maybe transparent to one or more types of electromagnetic radiation chosenfrom radio waves, micro wavelengths, infrared wavelengths, visiblewavelengths, ultraviolet wavelengths, soft x-rays, the like orcombinations of the foregoing. In some embodiments, one or more cagecomponents may be opaque to one or more types of electromagneticradiation chosen from radio waves, micro wavelengths, infraredwavelengths, visible wavelengths, ultraviolet wavelengths, soft x-rays,the like or combinations of the foregoing. The term “opaque” with regardto electromagnetic radiation refers to a cage component and/oridentifier allowing transmission of 5% or less of an electromagneticfeature.

Provided also in certain embodiments is a rodent containment cagesystem, comprising a rack that includes a cage, the cage including abase that comprises a first detectable identifier, a lid that comprisesa second detectable identifier, and a third detectable identifier inassociation with the lid and/or the base that includes cage contentinformation; a shelf connected to the rack and in association with thecage, the shelf including a detector configured to detect the firstdetectable identifier, the second detectable identifier and the thirddetectable identifier, and a processor in effective communication withthe detector that associates the cage content information with the firstdetectable identifier and the second detectable identifier. In someembodiments, a controller is in effective communication with theprocessor and is configured to receive association information from theprocessor. In certain embodiments, an indicator is in effectivecommunication with the controller, and the indicator is configured toidentify one or more cage components in association with the cagecontent information or subset thereof. In some embodiments, theindicator identifies one or more cage components by a visual, auditory,tactile indicator or combinations thereof. The indicator may be a visuallight display, and sometimes the indicator is a LED display. Theindicator may be integrated into the detector, and in some embodimentsthe indicator is integrated into the rack. The cage and/or the lid maybe in association with a card that comprises cage content information.The lid may cover the first detectable identifier and first detectableidentifier is detected through the lid in some embodiments. The firstdetectable identifier and the second detectable identifiers may bearranged in-line or may be arranged to overlap one another. The seconddetectable identifier and the third detectable identifiers may bearranged in-line or may be arranged to overlap one another. In someembodiments the first detectable identifier and the third detectableidentifiers are arranged in-line or are arranged to overlap one another.The system may further comprise a card that comprises cage contentinformation. The controller may be located in a location on the rackand/or remote from the rack.

Also provided in some embodiments is a method for associating cagecontent information with one or more cage components in a rodentcontainment system, comprising detecting a first detectable identifierin association with a cage base, a second detectable identifier inassociation with a cage lid, and a third detectable identifier inassociation with the lid and/or the base that includes the cage contentinformation, by a detector in association with a shelf that is connectedto a rack, and transmitting the first detectable identifier, the seconddetectable identifier and the third detectable identifier to a processorconfigured to associate the cage content information of the thirddetectable identifier with the first detectable identifier and/or thesecond detectable identifier. In some embodiments, the method furthercomprises associating via the processor the cage content information ofthe third detectable identifier with the first detectable identifierand/or the second detectable identifier, thereby producing anassociation. In certain embodiments, the method further comprisestransmitting the association from the processor to a controller. In someembodiments, the method further comprises transmitting the associationfrom the controller to an indicator and identifying one or more cagecomponents in association with the cage content information or subsetthereof.

Provided also in certain embodiments is a method for associating partsof a rodent containment cage system, comprising receiving cage componentdata obtained from a detectable identifier, receiving cage content data;and associating the cage component data with the corresponding cagecontent data, thereby generating an association. In some embodiments,the cage component data is from an identifier detected by a detector. Incertain embodiments, the cage content data is from a detectableidentifier and/or manual input. In some embodiments, the method furthercomprises receiving cage condition data and associating the cagecondition data with the corresponding cage content data and/or cagecomponent data, thereby generating an association. The cage conditiondata may be from a detectable identifier and/or manual input. In someembodiments, the method further comprise receiving cage user data andassociating the cage user data with the corresponding cage content data,corresponding cage component data and/or corresponding cage conditiondata, thereby generating an association. The cage user data may be froma detectable identifier and/or manual input. In certain embodiments, themethod further comprises reporting the association. The association mayinclude an association between the cage component data and thecorresponding cage content data. The association may include anassociation between the cage condition data and the corresponding cagecontent data and/or the corresponding cage component data. Theassociation may include an association between the cage user data, andthe corresponding cage content data, the corresponding cage conditiondata and/or the corresponding cage component data. The reporting may beuser-defined in some embodiments, and the reporting is pre-programmed insome embodiments. The reporting may be selected from the groupconsisting of cage indicators, graphics, inventory reports, securityreports and productivity reports. The cage condition data may beselected from the group consisting of a food change, a water change, amedicine administered, a bedding material change, a filter change, asyringe administered, a glove used, and combinations thereof. The cagecondition data may be given a time stamp and/or date stamp when the cagecondition data is received. The cage user data may be selected from thegroup consisting of a personnel accessing the cage, a time of cageaccess, a date of cage access, a purpose of cage access, andcombinations thereof. The cage component may be selected from the groupconsisting of a cage lid component, a cage base component, an air supplycomponent, an air exhaust component, a water supply component, a sensorcomponent, a filter component, a baffle component, a feeder andcombinations thereof. The cage content data may be selected from thegroup consisting of number of animals, and type of animal in a cage,animal identifier, an owner of the cage, an age of an animal, a sex ofan animal, a pedigree of an animal, an experimental procedure on ananimal, an observations by a cage user, and combinations thereof. Thedetector may be connected to a shelf in a rack of the system.

Also provided in some embodiments is a computer program product,comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable programcode embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to beexecuted to implement a method for associating parts of a rodentcontainment cage system, the method comprising receiving cage componentdata obtained from a detectable identifier; receiving cage content data;and associating the cage component data with the corresponding cagecontent data, thereby generating an association. The cage component datamay be from an identifier detected by a detector. The cage content datamay be from a detectable identifier and/or manual input. The programproduct may further comprise receiving cage condition data andassociating the cage condition data with the corresponding cage contentdata and/or cage component data, thereby generating an association. Thecage condition data may be from a detectable identifier and/or manualinput. The program product may further comprise receiving cage user dataand associating the cage user data with the corresponding cage contentdata, corresponding cage component data and/or corresponding cagecondition data, thereby generating an association. The cage user datamay be from a detectable identifier and/or manual input. The programproduct may further comprise reporting the association. The associationmay include an association between the cage component data and thecorresponding cage content data. The association may include anassociation between the cage condition data and the corresponding cagecontent data and/or the corresponding cage component data. Theassociation may include an association between the cage user data, andthe corresponding cage content data, the corresponding cage conditiondata and/or the corresponding cage component data. The reporting may beuser-defined. The reporting may be pre-programmed. The reporting may beselected from the group consisting of cage indicators, graphics,inventory reports, security reports and productivity reports. The cagecondition data may be selected from the group consisting of a foodchange, a water change, a medicine administered, a bedding materialchange, a filter change, a syringe administered, a glove used, andcombinations thereof. The cage condition data may be given a time stampand/or date stamp when the cage condition data is received. The cageuser data may be selected from the group consisting of a personnelaccessing the cage, a time of cage access, a date of cage access, apurpose of cage access, and combinations thereof. The cage component maybe selected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, a cagebase component, an air supply component, an air exhaust component, awater supply component, a sensor component, a filter component, a bafflecomponent, a feeder component and combinations thereof. The cage contentdata may be selected from the group consisting of number of animals in acage, type of animals in a cage, animal identifier, an owner of thecage, an age of an animal, a sex of an animal, a pedigree of an animal,an experimental procedure on an animal, an observations by a cage user,and combinations thereof. The detector may be connected to a shelf in arack of the system. The computer program product may be stored on aremovable storage device selected from the group consisting of a floppydisk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a CD-ROM disc, a DVD disc, amagneto-optical disc, or a USB drive. Also provided in certainembodiments is a computer program product, comprising a computer usablemedium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, thecomputer readable program code including distinct software modulesadapted to be executed to implement a method for associating parts of arodent containment cage, the method comprising receiving, by a receivingmodule, cage component data obtained from a detectable identifier,receiving, by the receiving module, cage content data, and associatingthe cage component data with the corresponding cage content data,thereby generating an association, by an associating module. The cagecomponent data may be from an identifier detected by a detector. Thecage content data is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.The program product further comprises receiving cage condition data andassociating the cage condition data with the corresponding cage contentdata and/or cage component data, thereby generating an association. Thecage condition data may be from a detectable identifier and/or manualinput. The program product may further comprise receiving cage user dataand associating the cage user data with the corresponding cage contentdata, corresponding cage component data and/or corresponding cagecondition data, thereby generating an association. The cage user datamay be from a detectable identifier and/or manual input. The programproduct may further comprise reporting the association of the one ormore cage component data with the corresponding cage content data by areporting module. The association may include an association between thecage component data and the corresponding cage content data. Theassociation may include an association between the cage condition dataand the corresponding cage content data and/or the corresponding cagecomponent data. The association may include an association between thecage user data, and the corresponding cage content data, thecorresponding cage condition data and/or the corresponding cagecomponent data. The reporting may be user-defined. The reporting may bepre-programmed. The reporting by the reporting module may be selectedfrom the group consisting of cage indicators, graphics, inventoryreports, security reports and productivity reports. The cage conditiondata may be selected from the group consisting of a food change, a waterchange, a medicine administered, a bedding material change, a filterchange, a syringe administered, or a glove used. The cage condition datamay be given a time/date stamp when the cage condition data isperformed. The cage user data may be selected from the group consistingof a personnel accessing the cage, a time of cage access, a date of cageaccess, or a purpose of cage access. The cage component may be selectedfrom the group consisting of a cage lid component, a cage basecomponent, an air supply component, an air exhaust component, a watersupply component, a sensor component, a filter component, a bafflecomponent or a feeder. The cage content data may be selected from thegroup consisting of a number and type of animals in a cage, an owner ofthe cage, an age of an animal, a sex of an animal, a pedigree of ananimal, an experimental procedure on an animal or on an observation by acage user. The detector may be connected to a shelf in a rack of thesystem. The computer program product may be stored on a removablestorage device selected from the group consisting of a floppy disk, ahard disk, a magnetic tape, a CD-ROM disc, a DVD disc, a magneto-opticaldisc, or a USB drive.

Provided also in certain embodiments is a system that associates cagecontent data with corresponding cage component data in a rodentcontainment system comprising a programmable processor, the systemcomprising a processor that implements a method of a computer programproduct described herein. The cage component data may be from anidentifier detected by a detector. The cage content data may be from adetectable identifier and/or manual input. The system further comprisesin some embodiments receiving cage condition data and associating thecage condition data with the corresponding cage content data and/or cagecomponent data, thereby generating an association. The cage conditiondata may be from a detectable identifier and/or manual input. The systemmay further comprise receiving cage user data and associating the cageuser data with the corresponding cage content data, corresponding cagecomponent data and/or corresponding cage condition data, therebygenerating an association. The cage user data may be from a detectableidentifier and/or manual input. The system may further comprisereporting the association. The association may include an associationbetween the cage component data and the corresponding cage content data.The association may include an association between the cage conditiondata and the corresponding cage content data and/or the correspondingcage component data. The association may include an association betweenthe cage user data, and the corresponding cage content data, thecorresponding cage condition data and/or the corresponding cagecomponent data. The reporting may be user-defined, and in someembodiments, the reporting may be pre-programmed. The reporting may beselected from the group consisting of cage indicators, graphics,inventory reports, security reports and productivity reports. The cagecondition data may be selected from the group consisting of a foodchange, a water change, a medicine administered, a bedding materialchange, a filter change, a syringe administered, a glove used, andcombinations thereof. The cage condition data may be given a time stampand/or date stamp when the cage condition data is received. The cageuser data may be selected from the group consisting of a personnelaccessing the cage, a time of cage access, a date of cage access, apurpose of cage access, and combinations thereof. The cage component maybe selected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, a cagebase component, an air supply component, an air exhaust component, awater supply component, a sensor component, a filter component, a bafflecomponent, a feeder and combinations thereof. The cage content data maybe selected from the group consisting of number of animals in a cage,type of animals in a cage, animal identifier, an owner of the cage, anage of an animal, a sex of an animal, a pedigree of an animal, anexperimental procedure on an animal, an observations by a cage user, andcombinations thereof. The system may further comprise a detector inassociation with a rack that detects an identifier associated with thecage component data, the cage content data, the cage condition dataand/or the cage user data. The system may further comprise a controller,the controller may be located on a rack of the system, and thecontroller may be located in a location remote from the rack. The systemmay further comprise one or more indicators on the rack.

Provided here is a rodent containment cage rack, comprising a pluralityof cage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member, each support membercomprising a wall that contains, or walls that contain, a first supportmember plenum and a second support member plenum substantially extendingthe length of the support member, each support member comprising a firstset of cage connection apertures and a second set of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member,each aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is inconnection with the first support member plenum, and each aperture ofthe second set of cage connection apertures is in connection with thesecond support member plenum; each support member comprising a first setof support member end apertures in connection with the first supportmember plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with the second support member plenum, each of which endapertures is at the end of each support member that connects to a sidemember; each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls thatcontain, a first side member plenum and a second side member plenumsubstantially extending the length of the side member, and each sidemember comprising a first set of side member apertures and a second setof side member apertures in the wall or walls of the side member, one ormore apertures of the first set of side member apertures are inconnection with the first side member plenum and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the first set of support memberend apertures, and one or more apertures of the second set of sidemember apertures are in connection with the second side member plenumand are in effective connection with one or more apertures of the secondset of support member end apertures. The first support member plenum maybe in effective connection with each first side member plenum and eachsecond support member plenum may be effective connection with eachsecond side member plenum. The support member apertures may be regularlyspaced across the transverse axis of the support member. The rodentcontainment cage rack may comprise a nozzle at each aperture in thesupport member.

The rodent containment cage rack may further comprise a plurality ofcage mounts on a bottom surface of each support member. The rodentcontainment cage rack may comprise a first air connection platecomprising an aperture in effective connection with an aperture on theupper end of a first side member plenum of a side member and comprisinga second air connection plate comprising an aperture in effectiveconnection with an aperture on the upper end of a second side memberplenum on the opposite side member.

Provided herein is a rodent containment cage rack, comprising aplurality of cage mount support members, which contain a communicationmedium, each disposed between and connected to a first side member and asecond side member and a first side member and a second side memberwhich contain a communication medium. Sometimes the communication mediain the support members are in effective communication with thecommunication media in the side members.

Provided herein is a rodent containment cage rack comprising a pluralityof cage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member each support membercomprising a channel adapted to contain one or more communication media;each support member comprising an end aperture at each end which thesupport member connects to the side member and each side membercomprising a channel adapted to contain one or more communication media.Sometimes the channels contain one or more communication media.Sometimes the side members and support members are directly and/orindirectly (e.g., effectively) connected via a gasket intermediary.

Provided herein is a rodent containment cage rack comprising a pluralityof cage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member, each support membercomprising a wall that contains, or walls that contain, a first supportmember plenum and a second support member plenum substantially extendingthe length of the support member, each support member comprising a firstset of cage connection apertures and a second set of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member,each aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is inconnection with the first support member plenum, and each aperture ofthe second set of cage connection apertures is in connection with thesecond support member plenum, each support member comprising a first setof support member end apertures in connection with the first supportmember plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with the second support member plenum, each of which endapertures is at the end of each support member that connects to a sidemember, each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls thatcontain, a first side member plenum and a second side member plenumsubstantially extending the length of the side member, each side membercomprising a first set of side member apertures and a second set of sidemember apertures in the wall or walls of the side member, one or moreapertures of the first set of side member apertures are in connectionwith the first side member plenum and are in effective connection withone or more apertures of the first set of support member end apertures,and one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures arein connection with the second side member plenum and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the second set of supportmember end apertures; and each support member and each side membercomprising a channel configured to receive one or more communicationmedia. Sometimes the channel comprises one or more communication media.

Also provided is rodent containment cage rack, comprising a plurality ofcage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member each support membercomprising a wall that contains, or walls that contain, a first supportmember plenum and a second support member plenum substantially extendingthe length of the support member, each support member comprising a firstset of cage connection apertures and a second set of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member,each aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is inconnection with the first support member plenum, and each aperture ofthe second set of cage connection apertures is in connection with thesecond support member plenum, each support member comprising a first setof support member end apertures in connection with the first supportmember plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with the second support member plenum, each of which endapertures is at the end of each support member that connects to a sidemember, each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls thatcontain, a first side member plenum and a second side member plenumsubstantially extending the length of the side member, each side membercomprising a first set of side member apertures and a second set of sidemember apertures in the wall or walls of the side member, one or moreapertures of the first set of side member apertures are in connectionwith the first side member plenum and are in effective connection withone or more apertures of the first set of support member end apertures,and one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures arein connection with the second side member plenum and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the second set of supportmember end apertures; and each support member and each side membercomprises one or more communication media. Sometimes the one or morecommunication media are contained in a channel in each support memberand each side member. Sometimes the channel in each support member isdisposed between the first support member plenum and the second supportmember plenum. Sometimes the channel in each side member is disposedbetween the first side member plenum and the second side member plenum.Sometimes the communication media in the side members are in effectiveconnection with the communication media in the support members.

Sometimes the rack comprises a plurality of cage mounts on a bottomsurface of each support member. Sometimes each cage mount has a channeladapted to contain communication media.

Sometimes the one or more communication media in the support member arein communication with the communication media in the cage mounts.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage rack, comprising a pluralityof cage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member, each support membercomprising a wall that contains, or walls that contain, a first supportmember plenum and a second support member plenum substantially extendingthe length of the support member, each support member comprising a firstset of cage connection apertures and a second set of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member,each aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is inconnection with the first support member plenum, and each aperture ofthe second set of cage connection apertures is in connection with thesecond support member plenum, each support member comprising a first setof support member end apertures in connection with the first supportmember plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with the second support member plenum, each of which endapertures is at the end of each support member that connects to a sidemember, each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls thatcontain, a first side member plenum and a second side member plenumsubstantially extending the length of the side member, each side membercomprising a first set of side member apertures and a second set of sidemember apertures in the wall or walls of the side member, one or moreapertures of the first set of side member apertures are in connectionwith the first side member plenum and are in effective connection withone or more apertures of the first set of support member end apertures,and one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures arein connection with the second side member plenum and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the second set of supportmember end apertures, and the rack is configured to, when positive airpressure is supplied to the first side member plenum of a side member,direct air from the first side member plenum of a side member to thefirst set of side member apertures of a side member to a set of supportmember end apertures to the first support member plenums and through thefirst set of cage connection apertures.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage rack, comprising a pluralityof cage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member, each support membercomprising a wall that contains, or walls that contain, a first supportmember plenum and a second support member plenum substantially extendingthe length of the support member, each support member comprising a firstset of cage connection apertures and a second set of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member,each aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is inconnection with the first support member plenum, and each aperture ofthe second set of cage connection apertures is in connection with thesecond support member plenum, each support member comprising a first setof support member end apertures in connection with the first supportmember plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with the second support member plenum, each of which endapertures is at the end of each support member that connects to a sidemember, each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls thatcontain, a first side member plenum and a second side member plenumsubstantially extending the length of the side member, each side membercomprising a first set of side member apertures and a second set of sidemember apertures in the wall or walls of the side member, one or moreapertures of the first set of side member apertures are in connectionwith the first side member plenum and are in effective connection withone or more apertures of the first set of support member end apertures,and one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures arein connection with the second side member plenum and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the second set of supportmember end apertures and the rack is configured to, when negative airpressure is supplied to the second side member plenum of a side member,direct air through the second set of cage connection apertures to thesecond support member plenums to a second set of support member endapertures to the second set of side member apertures of a side memberand to the second side member plenum of a side member.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage rack, comprising a pluralityof cage mount support members each disposed between and connected to afirst side member and a second side member, each support membercomprising a wall that contains, or walls that contain, a first supportmember plenum and a second support member plenum substantially extendingthe length of the support member, each support member comprising a firstset of cage connection apertures and a second set of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member,each aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is inconnection with the first support member plenum, and each aperture ofthe second set of cage connection apertures is in connection with thesecond support member plenum, each support member comprising a first setof support member end apertures in connection with the first supportmember plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with the second support member plenum, each of which endapertures is at the end of each support member that connects to a sidemember, each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls thatcontain, a first side member plenum and a second side member plenumsubstantially extending the length of the side member, each side membercomprising a first set of side member apertures and a second set of sidemember apertures in the wall or walls of the side member, one or moreapertures of the first set of side member apertures are in connectionwith the first side member plenum and are in effective connection withone or more apertures of the first set of support member end apertures,and one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures arein connection with the second side member plenum and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the second set of supportmember end apertures, the rack is configured to, when positive airpressure is supplied to the first side member plenum of a side member,direct air from the first side member plenum of a side member to thefirst set of side member apertures of a side member to a first set ofsupport member end apertures to the first support member plenums andthrough the first set of cage connection apertures and the rack isconfigured to, when negative air pressure is supplied to the second sidemember plenum of a side member, direct air through the second set ofcage connection apertures to the second support member plenums to asecond set of support member end apertures to the second set of sidemember apertures of a side member and to the second side member plenumof a side member. Sometimes the side members and support members aredirectly and/or indirectly (e.g., effectively) connected via a gasketintermediary. Sometimes a blower is in effective connection with therack that provides the positive air pressure. Sometimes a blower is ineffective connection with the rack that provides the negative airpressure. Sometimes the blower is in effective connection to an apertureat the top of the side member, the second side member, or the first sidemember and the second side member. Sometimes the pressure across a firstsupport member plenum varies less than 5%. Sometimes the rack comprisescage protrusion connection assemblies each comprising a nozzle ineffective connection with the cage connection apertures and the pressureis measured at the assemblies. Sometimes the rack has one or more cages.Sometimes air enters each cage effectively through an aperture of thefirst set of cage connection apertures and exits the cage effectivelythrough an aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures.Sometimes the one or more cages are engaged with cage protrusionconnection assemblies in effective connection with the first set of cageconnection apertures and the second set of cage connection apertures.Sometimes the air flow in the first support member plenum and the secondsupport member plenum is transverse to the air flow across the bottom ofthe one or more cages.

Also provided is a modular blower system comprising independent modules,which modules comprise an air intake or air exhaust unit and a fan unitand a filter unit and where the modules are stacked in series. Sometimesthe modules are vertically stacked. Sometimes the modules arehorizontally stacked. Sometimes there is an air intake unit. Sometimesthe air intake unit comprises a pre-filter and a baffle. Sometimes theedges of the stacked units are contiguous.

Sometimes the sidewalls of the units are contiguous. Sometimes theblower comprises an air exhaust unit. Sometimes the air exhaust unitcomprises an air outlet structure attached to a sidewall. Sometimes theoutlet structure is perpendicular to a sidewall of the air exhaust unit.

Sometimes the air intake unit is connected to the fan unit, and the fanunit is connected to the filter unit. Sometimes the filter unitcomprises a HEPA filter. Sometimes the air exhaust unit is connected tothe fan unit, and the fan unit is connected to the filter unit.Sometimes the modular the filter unit comprises a HEPA filter. Sometimesthe filter unit comprises a pre-filter upstream of the HEPA filter.Sometimes the modular blower further comprises a base. Sometimes themodular blower is attached to a rodent containment cage rack.

Also provided is a modular blower system comprising independent modules,which modules comprise a fan unit; and a filter unit and where modulesare stacked in series. Sometimes the modules are vertically stacked.Sometime the modules are horizontally stacked. Sometimes the modularblower system comprising independent modules is functionally connectedto the rack system utilizing a vibration dampening component (e.g.,gasket).

Also provided is a blower control board attached to a modular blowersystem attached to a rodent containment rack, which blower control boardcomprises one or more connectors or receivers for electrical powerand/or one or more communication media, a connector for functionalassociation with a rack mounted circuit board and an identifier for thecages and blowers attached to the rack. Sometimes the identifier is forthe cage configuration of the cages in the rack, sometimes theidentifier is for monitoring differential pressure developed by themodular blower system, and sometimes the identifier is for identifyingan inoperative component in a modular blower system attached to therack. Sometimes a receiver is for one or more communication media, aconnector is for a control unit and a receiver is for electrical power.

Also provided is a rack mounted circuit board hub attached to a rodentcontainment rack comprising a connector or receiver for electrical powerand one or more communication media and an identifier for the cagesattached to the rack. Sometimes the identifier is for the cageconfiguration of the cages in the rack, a receiver is for one or morecommunication media, a connector is for a control unit and a receiver isfor electrical power.

Also provided is a rack controller attached to a rodent containment rackcomprising one or more connectors or receivers for electrical powerand/or one or more communication media, including wireless communicationmedia (e.g., Wi-fi interface), identifiers for (i) cages attached to therack, (ii) blowers attached to the rack and (iii) air pressure in therack. Sometimes the pressure in the rack is determined by calculationsinvolving data from (i) and (ii). Sometimes an identifier is for thecage configuration of the cages in the rack, sometimes an identifier isfor monitoring differential pressure developed by the modular blowersystem, and sometimes the identifier is for identifying an inoperativecomponent in a modular blower system attached to the rack. Sometimes areceiver is for one or more communication media, a connector is for acontrol unit (e.g., circuit board and/or controller board) and areceiver is for electrical power.

Also provided is a rodent containment cage rack where each of the firstset of cage connection apertures and each of the second set of cageconnection apertures is in effective connection with a cage protrusionconnector assembly. Sometimes the cage protrusion connector assemblycomprises a protrusion connector comprising a body, and an orifice inthe body. Sometimes the cage protrusion connector assembly comprises oneor more fasteners on a first side of the body. Sometimes the cageprotrusion connector assembly comprises a projected surface disposedaround a portion of the orifice on a second side of the body. Sometimesthe one or more fasteners are two or more fasteners disposed around theorifice. Sometimes the projected surface is configured to contact aportion of a cage protrusion. Sometimes the projected surface isconfigured to position the cage in the rail guide. Sometimes the rackcomprises a pin extending from the first side of the body.

Sometimes the cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a protrusionconnector gasket in sealing connection with the body of the protrusionconnector. Sometimes the protrusion connector gasket comprises aprotrusion connector gasket orifice concentric with the orifice in theprotrusion connector, an annular flange around the protrusion connectorgasket orifice on a first surface of the protrusion connector gasket,one or more grooves on a second surface of the protrusion connectorgasket, and one or more channels configured to receive the one or morefasteners of the protrusion connector. Sometimes the protrusionconnector gasket comprises a bore configured to receive a pin. Sometimesthe annular flange comprises a surface configured to sealingly engagewith a surface of a cage protrusion. Sometimes the cage protrusionextends from a cage lid.

Sometimes the cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a nozzle insealing connection with the protrusion connector gasket. The nozzlegenerally comprises one or more orifices (e.g., sometimes two or moreorifices). Sometimes the nozzle comprises a nozzle orifice concentricwith the orifice in the protrusion connector gasket and in certainembodiments includes one or more tabs configured to rest in the one ormore grooves of the protrusion connector gasket. Sometimes the nozzlecomprises an annular flange disposed around the nozzle orifice on afirst side of the nozzle opposite to the first side of the protrusionconnector body. Sometimes the nozzle comprises two or more nozzleorifices, and in certain embodiments the nozzle comprises a cylindricalprojection that substantially defines a portion or all of an orificeperimeter. In some embodiments, the nozzle comprises a rib projectingfrom a nozzle surface or cylindrical projection in proximity to anorifice. In certain embodiments, the rib has a semi-circular profile,sometimes an edge of the rib is coextensive with a portion of an orificeperimeter and sometimes the rib circumscribes a portion of an orificeperimeter. Sometimes the nozzle comprises a bushing disposed in a nozzleorifice.

Sometimes the cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a nozzlegasket in sealing connection with the nozzle. Sometimes the nozzlegasket comprises a bore configured to receive a pin. Sometimes the cageprotrusion connector assembly is connected to a surface of the wall ofthe support member in effective connection with each of the cageconnection apertures. Sometimes the one or more fasteners on the firstside of the cage protrusion connector body are fastened to fasteners onthe wall or in the wall of the support member.

Certain embodiments are described further in the following description,examples, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate embodiments of the technology and are notlimiting. For clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are notmade to scale and, in some instances, various aspects may be shownexaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of particularembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a cage lid.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a cage bottom.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a cage lid on top of a cage bottom.

FIGS. 4A-4D are top, isometric, front and side perspective views,respectively, of a cage being inserted into a rack having a reader.

FIGS. 5A-5C are front perspective views, with detailed inserts ofreaders, of a cage inserted into a cage rack with different LEDillumination representing different states.

FIGS. 6A-6C are isometric perspective views of two adjacent readersmounted onto the shelves of the rack assembly.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a cage with a cage card.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cage assemblysuitable for use with a modular rack system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rack system.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of an architecture system for the operationalrack system.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying cage card information.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying a cage locator query function.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying a cage change schedule.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying a selection of options.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying an inventory of food in a bar graph format.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying associated cage components.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying an inventory summary.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic screen shot of an embodiment of a controllerdisplaying airflow data in a list form.

FIG. 19 is an embodiment of an operational procedure for association ofdata.

FIG. 20 is an embodiment of an operational procedure for locatingspecified cages based on user criteria.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the shelf assembly of FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIGS. 22A-D illustrate top, isometric, front and side perspective views,respectively, of a cage being inserted into a rack embodiment having areader.

FIGS. 23-A-C illustrate front perspective views, with detailed insertsof readers, of a cage inserted into a rack embodiment with different LEDillumination representing different states.

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of a double unit rack embodiment,without modular blower system attachments and without inserted cages.

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of a single unit rack embodiment,without modular blower system attachments and without inserted cages

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of a double unit rack embodiment,with modular blower system attachments and inserted cages.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of a single unit rack embodiment,with modular blower system attachments and inserted cages.

FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective view of a double unit rack embodiment,with modular blower system attachments, and without inserted cages.

FIG. 29 illustrates a front view of a rack embodiment, with modularblower attachments and inserted cages.

FIG. 30 illustrates a front view of a rack embodiment, with modularblower attachments and without inserted cages.

FIG. 31 illustrates a bottom view of a support member embodiment. FIG.31 also illustrates the first and second set of cage connectionapertures and the support member communication medium channel.

FIG. 32 illustrates a profile or side view of a support memberembodiment.

FIG. 33 illustrates a top view of a side member embodiment.

FIG. 34 illustrates a front view of the inner surface of a side memberembodiment. Shown in

FIG. 34 are side member apertures and side member communicationapertures that are in effective connection with support member plenumsand support member communication medium channels.

FIG. 35 is a bottom view of a rack embodiment illustrating variouscomponents of the trolley system and the bottom surface of supportmembers having guide rail assemblies and cage protrusion connectionassemblies. Also illustrated in FIG. 35 are support member communicationmedium channels.

FIG. 36 is a schematic representation of a wiring diagram embodiment forcommunication media contained in some cage rack embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 37 is a schematic representation of a power system and wiringembodiment for a double unit cage rack embodiment described herein. FIG.37 shows wiring that goes from the power supply to the exhaust blowerand from the exhaust blowers to the supply blowers.

FIG. 38 is a partial cutaway isometric view of a supply blowerembodiment in effective connection with a support and a side member. Thesupply blower is effectively connected to the support and side membersvia a rack mounted air connector plate.

FIG. 38 illustrates support member and side member plenums thatdistribute air thought out the rack embodiment.

FIG. 39 is an isometric view of an exhaust blower embodiment.

FIG. 40 illustrates top and isometric views of a supply blower airintake unit embodiment.

FIG. 41 illustrates top and isometric views of an exhaust blower airexhaust unit embodiment.

FIG. 42 illustrates top and isometric views of a fan unit, that can beused in modular supply or modular exhaust blower embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 43 and FIG. 44 illustrate top and isometric views of a filter unitthat can be used in modular supply or modular exhaust blower embodimentsdescribed herein. The difference between FIGS. 43 and 44 are in theorientation of the air outlet channel as shown in the figures.

FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 illustrate top and isometric views of a blower baseunit embodiment that can be used in modular supply or modular exhaustblower embodiments described herein. Both FIGS. 45 and 46 show a blowercontrol board mounted in the blower base unit. The difference betweenFIGS. 45 and 46 are in the orientation of the air outlet channel andplacement of the blower control board, as shown in the figures.

FIG. 47 illustrates top and isometric views of a rack mounted circuitboard hub embodiment.

FIG. 48 and FIG. 49 illustrate top and isometric views of an airconnector plate embodiment that can be used to connect a modular supplyor modular exhaust blower embodiment to cage rack embodiments describedherein. The difference between FIGS. 48 and 49 are in the orientation ofthe air outlet channel as shown in the figures.

FIG. 50 illustrates top and bottom isometric views of an air connectorplate embodiment in effective connection with a support member and aside member. Also illustrated in FIG. 50 is a circuit board embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 51 illustrates a top isometric view of an air connector plateembodiment in effective connection with a support member and a sidemember. Also illustrated in FIG. 51 is a circuit board embodimentdescribed herein.

FIGS. 52A and 52B illustrate isometric views of cage protrusionconnection assembly embodiments. FIG. 52A illustrates a single orificecage protrusion connection assembly embodiment. FIG. 52B illustrates adual orifice cage protrusion connection assembly embodiment.

FIGS. 53A and 53B illustrate exploded isometric views of cage protrusionconnection assembly embodiments. FIG. 53A illustrates an exploded viewof a single orifice cage protrusion connection assembly embodiment. FIG.53B illustrates an exploded view of a dual orifice cage protrusionconnection assembly embodiment.

FIGS. 54A and 54B illustrate schematic representations of isometricviews of a cage embodiment in effective connection with cage protrusionconnection assembly embodiments. FIG. 54A illustrates a single orificecage protrusion connection assembly embodiment in effective connectionwith a cage protrusion. FIG. 52B illustrates a dual orifice cageprotrusion connection assembly embodiment in effective connection with acage protrusion.

FIGS. 55A-D illustrate front, back and both side views, respectively,with detail enlargements, of a cage embodiment having cage protrusionsin effective connection with a single orifice cage protrusion connectionassembly embodiment. FIGS. 55E-H illustrate front, back and both sideviews, respectively, with detail enlargements, of a cage embodimenthaving cage protrusions in effective connection with a dual orifice cageprotrusion connection assembly embodiment. The cage protrusionconnection assemblies are presented as cross sections.

FIG. 56 illustrates a profile or side partial cutaway view of a supportmember in effective connection with a cage mount assembly, including acage mount front module.

FIG. 57 illustrates a partial cutaway isometric view of a support memberembodiment in effective connection with a cage mount assemblyembodiment, including a cage mount front module plug embodiment. Aportion of the top of a plenum has been removed to visualize thecommunication medium channel contained in the support member embodiment.

FIG. 58 illustrates a partial cutaway isometric view of a cageembodiment in effective connection with a support member embodiment,held between two cage mount assembly embodiments.

FIG. 59 illustrates a front view of a cage embodiment in effectiveconnection with a support member embodiment, held between two cage mountassembly embodiments. The view illustrated in FIG. 59 shows only asingle cage mounted into a single cage slot of a rack embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 60A-C illustrates an isometric view of a schematic representationof two adjacent positions for attachment of a cage to a support memberembodiment. Also illustrated in the schematic representation are cagemount guide assemblies and a cage mount front module reader having LED'sfor status reporting. The cage mount front module reader is shown beinginserted into the cage mount front module receptacle.

FIGS. 61A and 61B are bottom views representing a single cage positionin a support member embodiment including cage mount assemblies and cageprotrusion connection assemblies. FIG. 61A illustrates a single orificecage protrusion connection assembly embodiment. FIG. 61B illustrates adual orifice cage protrusion connection assembly embodiment.

FIG. 62 illustrates an isometric view of a cage mount front modulereader.

FIG. 63 illustrates an isometric view of a cage mount front module plug.

FIGS. 64A and 64B illustrate non-limiting bottom isometric views ofnozzle embodiments described herein. FIG. 64A illustrates a centrallylocated single orifice nozzle. FIG. 64B illustrates a dual orificenozzle with the orifices located equidistant from a central point. Asdescribed herein, nozzle orifices can be placed in any convenient andsuitable location for air distribution throughout a cage rack embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 65 is a top perspective view of a cage lid, having two cageidentifiers.

FIG. 66 is a top perspective view of a cage bottom, having two cageidentifiers.

FIG. 67 is a top perspective view of a cage lid on top of a cage bottom,having two cage identifiers.

FIGS. 68A-D illustrate top, isometric, front and side perspective views,respectively, of a cage having two cage identifiers being inserted intoa rack embodiment having a reader having a substantially sealedtranslucent cover.

FIGS. 69-A-C illustrate front perspective views of a cage inserted intoa rack embodiment, with detailed inserts of readers, each reader havinga substantially sealed translucent cover, with different LEDillumination representing different states.

FIG. 70 illustrates a perspective view of a double unit rack embodiment,without modular blower system attachments and without inserted cages.The rack embodiment shown in FIG. 70 illustrates an alternate blowermounting plate.

FIG. 71 illustrates a perspective view of a single unit rack embodiment,without modular blower system attachments and without inserted cages.The rack embodiment shown in FIG. 71 illustrates an alternate blowermounting plate.

FIG. 72 illustrates a profile or side view of a support memberembodiment.

FIG. 73 is a bottom view of a rack embodiment illustrating variouscomponents of the trolley system and the bottom surface of supportmembers having guide rail assemblies and cage protrusion connectionassemblies. Also illustrated in FIG. 35 are support member communicationmedium channels. Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 73and FIG. 35 include the configuration of the guide rail assemblies andcage protrusion connection assemblies.

FIG. 74 is an isometric view of an exhaust blower embodiment.Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 74 and FIG. 39include the configuration of the blower base. The blower illustrated inFIG. 74 lacks the connection boss or detent, present in FIG. 39 asreference character 722.

FIG. 75 and FIG. 76 illustrate top and isometric views of a blower baseunit embodiment that can be used in modular supply or modular exhaustblower embodiments described herein. Both FIGS. 75 and 76 show a blowercontrol board mounted in the blower base unit. Differences betweenembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 75 and 76 include the orientation ofthe air outlet channel and placement of the blower control board.Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 75, 76 and FIGS.45, 46 include the configuration of the blower base. The blower baseillustrated in FIGS. 75, 76 lacks the connection boss or detent, presentin FIGS. 45, 46 as reference character 622/722.

FIG. 77 illustrates top and isometric views of an alternate rack mountedcircuit board hub embodiment. Differences between embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 77 and FIG. 47 include the rack mounted circuitboard hub 900′ illustrated in FIG. 77 lacks eSATA ports 912 and Deutschreceptacle 906 present in circuit board 900 illustrated in FIG. 47.

FIG. 78 and FIG. 79 illustrate top and isometric views of an airconnector plate embodiment that can be used to connect a modular supplyor modular exhaust blower embodiment to cage rack embodiments describedherein. Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 78 and 79include the orientation of the air outlet channel. Differences betweenembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 78, 79 and 48, 49 include theconfiguration of the air connector plate mating pins and blower supportprotrusion. FIGS. 78 and 79 do not have blower support protrusion 590illustrated in FIGS. 48 and 49, and have alternate air connector platemating pins 588′.

FIG. 80 illustrates top and bottom isometric views of an air connectorplate embodiment in effective connection with a support member and aside member. Also illustrated in FIG. 80 is a circuit board embodimentdescribed herein. Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 80and FIG. 50 include the configuration of the air connector plate matingpins 588, 588′ and circuit board embodiment 900, 900′. FIG. 80 also doesnot have blower support protrusion 590, illustrated in FIG. 50.

FIG. 81 illustrates a top isometric view of an air connector plateembodiment in effective connection with a support member and a sidemember. Also illustrated in FIG. 81 is a circuit board embodimentdescribed herein. Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 81and FIG. 51 include the configuration of the air connector plate matingpins 588, 588′ and circuit board embodiment 900, 900′. FIG. 81 also doesnot have blower support protrusion 590, illustrated in FIG. 51.

FIGS. 82A-D illustrate front, back and both side views, respectively,with detail enlargements, of a cage embodiment having cage protrusionsin effective connection with a single orifice cage protrusion connectionassembly embodiment. FIGS. 82E-H illustrate front, back and both sideviews, respectively, with detail enlargements, of a cage embodimenthaving cage protrusions in effective connection with a dual orifice cageprotrusion connection assembly embodiment. The cage protrusionconnection assemblies are presented as cross sections. Differencesbetween embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 82A-H and 55A-H include theconfiguration of the cage protrusion assemblies. The cage protrusionconnection assemblies shown in FIGS. 82A-H do not have projected surface812, the latter of which is used as a cone guide stop surface, asillustrated in FIGS. 55A-H. The function of projected surface 812 isreplaced by cage mount guide rail stop 553, located on alternate cagemount assembly 530′.

FIG. 83 illustrates a partial cutaway isometric view of a support memberembodiment in effective connection with a cage mount assemblyembodiment, including a cage mount front module plug embodiment. Aportion of the top of a plenum has been removed to visualize thecommunication medium channel contained in the support member embodiment.Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 83 and FIG. 57include the configuration of the cage mount assembly. Alternate cagemount assembly 530′ includes cage mount guide rail stop 553, asillustrated in FIG. 83. Cage mount assembly 530 illustrated in FIG. 57does not include cage mount guide rail stop 553.

FIG. 84 illustrates a partial cutaway isometric view of a cageembodiment in effective connection with a support member embodiment,held between two cage mount assembly embodiments. Differences betweenembodiments illustrated in FIG. 84 and FIG. 58 include the configurationof the cage mount assemblies and cage mount front modules (e.g., plug566, readers 564, 564′). Alternate cage mount assembly 530′ includescage mount guide rail stop 553, as illustrated in FIG. 84. Cage mountassembly 530 illustrated in FIG. 58 does not include cage mount guiderail stop 553. In some embodiments, cage mount front module (e.g.,reference character 562 in FIG. 61A-B) is cage mount front module reader564′ in some embodiments, and in certain embodiments, cage mount frontmodule is cage mount front module plug 566. The cage mount front moduleillustrated in FIG. 58 is a cage mount front module plug 566.

FIG. 85 illustrates a front view of a cage embodiment in effectiveconnection with a support member embodiment, held between two cage mountassembly embodiments. The view illustrated in FIG. 85 shows only asingle cage mounted into a single cage slot of a rack embodimentdescribed herein. Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 85and FIG. 59 include the configuration of the cage mount assemblies andcage mount front modules. The alternate cage mount assembly illustratedin FIG. 85 includes cage mount guide rail stop 553. The cage mountassembly illustrated in FIG. 59 does not include cage mount guide railstop 553. In some embodiments, cage mount front module (e.g., referencecharacter 562 in FIG. 61A-B) is cage mount front module reader 564′ insome embodiments, and in certain embodiments, cage mount front module iscage mount front module plug 566. The cage mount front moduleillustrated in FIG. 59 is a cage mount front module plug 566.

FIG. 86A-C illustrates an isometric view of a schematic representationof two adjacent positions for attachment of a cage to a support memberembodiment. Also illustrated in the schematic representation are cagemount guide assemblies and a cage mount front module reader having LED'sfor status reporting. The cage mount front module reader is shown beinginserted into the cage mount front module receptacle. Differencesbetween embodiments illustrated in FIG. 86A-C and FIG. 60A-C include theconfiguration of the cage mount assemblies and cage mount front modules(reference character 562 in FIGS. 61A-B). The alternate cage mountassembly illustrated in FIG. 86A-C includes cage mount guide rail stop553. The cage mount assembly illustrated in FIG. 60A-C does not includecage mount guide rail stop 553. In some embodiments, cage mount frontmodule is cage mount front module reader 564′ in some embodiments, andin certain embodiments, cage mount front module is cage mount frontmodule plug 566. The cage mount front module illustrated in FIG. 60A-Cis cage mount front module reader 564.

FIGS. 87A and 87B are bottom views representing a single cage positionin a support member embodiment including cage mount assemblies and cageprotrusion connection assemblies. FIG. 87A illustrates a single orificecage protrusion connection assembly embodiment. FIG. 87B illustrates adual orifice cage protrusion connection assembly embodiment. Differencesbetween embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 87A-B and 61A-B include theconfiguration of the cage mount assemblies and the cage protrusionassemblies. Alternate cage mount assembly 530′ illustrated in FIGS.87A-B includes cage mount guide rail stop 553. Cage mount assembly 530illustrated in FIGS. 61A-B does not include cage mount guide rail stop553. Additionally, cage protrusion connection assembly 800′ shown inFIGS. 87A-B do not have projected surface 812 illustrated in FIGS.61A-B, which sometimes is used as a cone guide stop surface.

FIG. 88 illustrates an isometric view of a cage mount front modulereader. Differences between embodiments illustrated in FIG. 88 and FIG.62 include the configuration of the cage front module reader. Cage mountfront module reader 564′ illustrated in FIG. 84 has a sealed (e.g.,water tight) translucent cover. In some embodiments the translucentcover is made from lexan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Identifiers

Provided in some embodiments are identifiers, methods of manufacturingidentifiers, and use of identifiers to uniquely label or identify one ormore items (such as animal cage cards, animal cages or racks or large orsmall objects), to identify animals, cage components or data forsorting, tracking, identification, verification, authentication,management, inventory, maintenance, or for other purposes. This type ofidentification technology is useful in helping machines and/or peopleidentify cage components, animals and/or associated data and capture theinformation. Such identification may include manual interaction by ahuman operator (e.g., scan an identifier by a handheld device ormanually input code or information pertaining to an identifier into acomputer reader and/or controller), and often includes automatic datacapture where data is automatically recorded by machine and/or device.

Such identifiers may include one or more bar codes, serial numbers,alphanumeric identifiers, text, graphics, watermarks, holographs,electronic microchips/transponders, radio-frequency identification(RFID), reflective identifiers, non-reflective identifiers, magneticidentifiers, symbolic codes, chemical identifiers, magnetictags/strips/ink character recognition, smart cards, optical characterrecognition, optical mark recognition, and fluorescence (or otheroptical techniques), or combinations thereof, for example. An identifiermay be a physical code, physical image or physical substance, and can bea representation of data or information or representation of a physicalstructure. An identifier may be obtained from, determined by orcalculated from information obtained from other identifiers. For examplea cage lid identifier may be used in reference to the actual bar codeplaced on a cage lid, or in some embodiments, an identifier can be usedin reference to non-tangible information, such as usage history of thecage lid or association of the cage lid to corresponding objects and/ornumber of animals. In some embodiments having more than one identifier,the identifiers sometimes contain the same information, and sometimesthe identifiers have different information. In certain embodiments,identifiers on different cage components include different informationand in some embodiments identifiers on different cage components includesubstantially identical information.

Bar codes may be a series of lines of varying width, printed, as on acontainer or product, that may be read by a scanner and/or decoded by acomputer into usable information. A serial number may be a number,usually one of a series, assigned for identification. A serial numbermay be a unique number assigned for identification which varies from itssuccessor or predecessor by a fixed discrete integer value. Analphanumeric identifier may be a combination of alphabetic and numeric(also called alphanumeric), and can be used to describe the collectionof Latin letters and Arabic digits used by much of western society. Aset of 36 (single case) or 62 (case-sensitive) alphanumeric charactersmay be utilized. An alphanumeric character set often consists of thenumbers 0 to 9 and letters A to Z. Text may be the actual wording ofanything written or printed or a unit of connected speech or writing,especially composed of more than one sentence, which forms a cohesivewhole. Graphics may be a product of the graphic arts, as a drawing,symbol or print, for example. Graphics may generally involve drawing,painting, and printmaking, for example.

Radio-frequency identity (or identification), RFID, is a technology thatuses tiny computer chips to track items at a distance. Radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) is the use of an object (typically a RFID tag)applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for thepurpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags canbe read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of thereader. Radio-frequency identification involves interrogators (orreaders), and tags (or labels). RFID tags may contain two parts. Onepart may be an integrated circuit for storing and processinginformation, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal,and other specialized functions. The second may be an antenna forreceiving and transmitting the signal. Generally, there are three typesof RFID tags: active RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmitsignals autonomously, passive RFID tags, which have no battery andrequire an external source to provoke signal transmission, andbattery-assisted passive (BAP) RFID tags, which require an externalsource to be activated and has greater signal range.

Reflective identifiers may be any type of identifier capable of castingback particles (such as, for example, light, heat, sound,electromagnetic radiation, etc). Such identifiers may reflect light,images, or sound waves, for example. Non-reflective identifiers may beany type of identifier not capable of casting back particles.

In some embodiments, one or more identifiers are transparent or opaqueto one or more detection means (e.g., electromagnetic radiation).Generally, electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by an object ischaracteristic of the object's electromagnetic spectrum, whichelectromagnetic spectrum often can be detected. Electromagneticradiation often includes features such as electromagnetic frequenciesand/or electromagnetic wavelengths and an electromagnetic spectrumsometimes comprises substantially all readily detectable electromagneticradiation. Transparency and/or opaqueness to one or more electromagneticfeatures can be predetermined by the use of various detectable materialsand detectors. Detectable materials sometimes are part of, included inor layered on materials utilized to generate cage components describedherein. In some embodiments, a cage component may be transparent to somewavelengths, but not all electromagnetic wavelengths (e.g., opaque tosome wavelengths). In some embodiments, one or more cage components maybe transparent to one or more types of electromagnetic radiation chosenfrom radio waves, micro wavelengths, infrared wavelengths, visiblewavelengths, ultraviolet wavelengths, soft x-rays, the like orcombinations of the foregoing. In some embodiments, one or more cagecomponents may be opaque to one or more types of electromagneticradiation chosen from radio waves, micro wavelengths, infraredwavelengths, visible wavelengths, ultraviolet wavelengths, soft x-rays,the like or combinations of the foregoing. The term “opaque” with regardto electromagnetic radiation refers to a cage component and/oridentifier allowing transmission of 5% or less of an electromagneticfeature.

Magnetic identifiers, magnetic tags/strips, magnetic ink characters,and/or smart cards may be any type of identifier having properties of amagnet. An example of a system employing magnetic materials is in WO93/14474, which describes a system that generates an electromagneticfield, to which individual transponder units receive, store, andtransmit the identification data, which is then received by a receiverand is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Another exampleof a system employing magnetic materials is in U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,618,which describes an antipilferage magnetic tag detected in aninterrogation zone producing an alternating magnetic field by high-orderharmonics produced by the presence of the tag and is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. The tag has an asymmetrically shapedpiece of low-coercive force ferromagnetic material, including a centresection and flux concentrator sections at opposite ends of this section.Another example of a system employing magnetic materials is in U.S. Pat.No. 6,144,300, which discloses a magnetic analogue of an optical barcode reader system and is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Soft magnetic elements are arranged in a linear array and readby mechanically scanning a coil along the array, the coil generating amagnetic null enabling the elements of the array to respond to theapplied field. The spatial arrangement of the elements in the lineararray defines a code similar to a bar code.

Symbolic codes or identifiers may be any type of symbol that conveysidentify or recognition of any type. A symbol may be something used foror regarded as representing something else; a material objectrepresenting something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, orsign. A symbol may be a letter, figure, or other character or mark or acombination of letters or the like used to designate something: thealgebraic symbol x or the chemical symbol Au for gold, for example. Asymbol also may be a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complexof associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separablefrom that which is symbolized, as being part of that which issymbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for orrepresenting that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving itsmeaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generallydistinguished from a sign. A symbol may be commonly known such as asmiley face, or be obscure, non-recognizable, and novel, for example.

Chemical identifiers of any type may be used to signal the presence of achemical. A chemical identifier may be used in lieu of or in conjunctionwith any type of sensor. Additionally the chemical identifier may betriggered by an auto-catalytic chemical reaction, for example by thepresence of moisture, by the presence of heat and/or pressure, or by thepresence of water and/or another chemical such as ammonium, for example.Chemical identifiers also may be called discoloring polymers, wherethere is a chemical change within polymers used for identification.

An optical identifier of any type may be used. An optical identifier mayinclude an optical substrate or be encoded with optical identificationelements, optical character recognition, optical mark recognition,capable of having many optically readable codes. The optical substrateor element may be made of a glass material, such as silica or otherglasses, or may be made of plastic or polymer, or any other materialcapable of having a diffraction grating disposed therein.

Fluorescence identifiers of any type may be used. Fluorescenceidentifiers may include the emission of radiation or of visible light orluminescence, during exposure to external radiation such as light orx-rays, or other sources of optical emissions, such as an opticalreader, for example.

Holographic identifiers also may be used, or any type of two, three, orfour dimensional image reproduced from a pattern of interference orproduced by a split coherent beam of radiation, as from a laser. Aholograph may be an image produced by a hologram, which is a negativeproduced by exposing a high-resolution photographic plate, withoutcamera or lens, near a subject illuminated by monochromatic, coherentradiation, as from a laser when it is placed in a beam of coherent lighta true three-dimensional image of the subject is formed.

For a cage rack system, identifiers can be cage content identifiers,cage component identifiers, cage condition identifiers and cage useridentifiers, for example. Identifiers also may be associated with datathat pertain to cage content data, cage component data, cage conditiondata and cage user data identify the same tangible object and/or digitalinformation. For example, a cage lid identifier may refer to theidentifier code on the lid, the lid itself, the history of the lid,location of the lid and the like.

Identifiers can be detected by a detector at any suitable speed of cageinsertion. In some embodiments an identifier can be detected at arelatively slow insertion speed, and in certain embodiments, anidentifier can be detected at a relatively fast insertion speed. In someembodiments changes in the rate of cage insertion velocity (e.g.,increasing speed of cage insertion, decreasing speed of cage insertion,increasing then decreasing speed of cage insertion, decreasing thenincreasing speed of cage insertion, the like or combinations of theforgoing) do not effect a detectors ability to accurately detect anidentifier.

Location of Identifiers

One or more identifiers may be located in any location, such as on ananimal cage card, on the back of a cage component, on the side or sidesof a cage component, on the top of a cage component, on a cage componentflange, on a rack module or rack module component, in a rack side memberor support member, on one or more other cage or rack items/components,on non-cage items (e.g. a personnel identification badge, medication,drug dosing card, investigator card, veterinarian records, etc), orcombinations thereof, for example. Identifiers on one or more cagecomponents (e.g. a lid, a base, an air supply component, an air exhaustcomponent, a water supply component, a sensor component, a filtercomponent, a baffle component, a feeder and the like), may be locatednear another identifier, adjacent to another identifier, overlappinganother identifier, on top of another identifier, or in any locationwhere data from the identifier may be captured or accessed. Theidentifiers also may be in-line with one another or in-line with anothercomponent. The term “in-line” as used herein pertains to a linkedsequence of placement, such as, sequentially within a line or oneidentifier behind another identifier thereby forming a straight line.

The location of identifiers may be visible or invisible to a cage user.The location of identifiers may be determined by an identifier reader,such as by an optical reader, for example. Inventory of identifierswithin a specified location may be determined by an identifier reader,for example by using a RFID reader.

Non-limiting examples of identifier locations are shown in FIGS. 1-3, 7,22, 54, and 65-68. FIGS. 1 and 65 show a top perspective view of cagelid 132 having a filter element 135, two nozzles 66 and 68, press-inpost couplers 138 and lid identifier 400. FIG. 65 shows a lid embodimenthaving two identifiers 400. The lid identifier 400 may be on a flange ofthe lid 132. Identifier 400 may be on the bottom surface of the flangeor on the top surface of the flange of the cover and/or base. FIGS. 2and 66 show a top perspective view of the cage bottom 130 having bottomor base identifier 402. FIG. 66 shows a cage bottom embodiment havingtwo identifiers. The bottom identifier 402 may be on the top or bottomof a flange of the base 130. The identifier 402 may be on the bottomsurface of the flange or on the top surface of the flange. FIGS. 3 and67 show a top perspective view of cage lid 132 on top of cage bottom 130where the bottom identifier 402 can be seen through the transparent cagelid 132. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 67, the identifiers 400 and 402 arein-line with the flanges and in-line with each other. FIG. 67 shows anembodiment of a cage lid on top of a cage bottom where both the cage lidand cage bottom have two identifiers. Placement of in-line identifiersmay aid in the quick scanning or identification of the identifiers by areader, for example. One or more other identifiers may be placed in-linewith the lid identifier 400 and bottom identifier 402 such that thethird or more identifiers will be scanned or read by a reader. FIG. 7shows a front perspective view of a cage 20 with a cage card 410 andseven separate cage card identifiers 412. FIGS. 22 A-B and FIGS. 68A-Bshow top and isometric views of cage 20 with cage identifiers 400 oneither side of cage 20. FIGS. 54A and 54 b show isometric views of cage20 with cage identifiers 400 on either side of cage 20. In oneembodiment, a cage card identifier or cage content identifier 412 maycontain two identifiers, one being a symbol (smile face) and the secondbeing bar code/serial code which may be detected by a reader. Eachdifferent cage card identifier 412 for separate cages may have differentsymbolic and bar code/serial code identifiers from each other such thatall of the cage card identifiers are unique. For example, one cage cardidentifier may have a smiley face symbol, another cage card identifiermay have a star symbol, another cage card identifier may have a cloudsymbol and the like. Cage card identifiers may have one or moreidentical identifiers, such that one or both of the two identifiers onthe cage card identifier is the same as another cage card identifier.One of the perforated/adhesive cage card identifiers 412 may be placedin-line with bottom identifier 402 and lid identifier 400 such that allthree identifiers will be read by a reader. Other perforated/adhesivecage card identifiers 412 may be placed on objects that have anassociation or correspond to the identifier or occupants of the animalcage which the cage card identifier 412 is attached or belongs to.

In some embodiments, one or more identifiers can be located on a cagelid, cage base or both cage lid and cage base. In certain embodiments,two or more identifiers can be located on a cage lid, cage base or bothcage lid and cage base. In some embodiments, a first and secondidentifier are on opposite sides along the length of a cage. Theidentifiers can be the same or different. Identifiers that are the sameencode redundant information. A reader can be located above a cage, asshown in FIGS. 23A-C and FIGS. 69A-C, identifiers on the cage lid orcage base or both are placed such that the readers can detect them asthe cage is contacted and moved along the cage mount guide rails of thecage mount assemblies. In a certain embodiment, Identifiers may be onthe opposite long sides of a cage lid that is attached to a cage base asshown in FIGS. 22A-D, 54, 58, and 65-68A-B. In some embodiments, theidentifier is a barcode. Identifiers on opposite sides of a cage lid aresimultaneously read by devices, such as cage readers, located on thefront of adjacent cage mount assemblies as a cage is slid into the cagemount assemblies and the identifier passes the device.

In some embodiments, one or more identifiers are configured so they donot overlap with one another. In certain embodiments, one or moreidentifiers are configured so two or more identifiers overlap. In someembodiments having overlapping identifiers, the identifiers can beoffset from each other thereby generating regions of non-overlappingidentifiers and regions of overlapping identifiers. In some embodiments,overlapping identifiers are detected by the same detector, and incertain embodiments, overlapping identifiers are detected by differentdetectors. In certain embodiments, each identifier in an overlappingidentifier configuration is detected by a different detector. In someembodiments, each cage component has 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, ormore than 5 independently detectable identifiers, and in certainembodiments, a subset or all of the independently detectable identifierscan be detected in various combinations. In some embodiments having twoor more identifiers (e.g., overlapping or non-overlapping), portions orall of the identifiers may be redundant.

Manufacturing of Identifiers

Techniques for applying one or more identifiers may include, but are notlimited to, printing (e.g. impact, ink jet, laser, thermal transferprinting, flexographic, rotogravure, offset or rotary screen and thelike), imprinting, embossing, molding, laminating, heating, spraying,rolling, silk-screening, painting, fastening, adhering with adhesives,or any other technique suitable for applying the identifier as describedherein. Ink or markings used may be colored or colorless in the visiblespectrum. Identifiers may be made with conductive inks that can storeand transmit data, and/or made to be fluorescent under certainelectromagnetic radiation. Any variety of electronic inks withconductive, insulating, or semiconductor qualities may be used and canbe printed in one or successive layers on any material such as plasticsubstrates or polymer films. The electronic inks also may be opaque, ortransparent and thus undetectable to the human eye. Identifiers may bemade of organic and/or biodegradable material. Identifiers may bechipless or made on polymer-based tags. Identifiers may be manufacturedto allow for a large number of distinct codes, to be made flexible orbendable, and/or to withstand harsh environments.

An identifier may vary in size, shape, color, texture, and the like.Identifiers may be relatively small microelements, microparticles orencoded particles for smaller applications (about 1-1000 microns), orrelatively larger macroelements for larger applications (e.g., 10-1000cm or larger). An identifier also may be embedded within, or part of, alarger substrate, element or object. An identifier also may be in theform of a thread, fiber or filaments that can be weaved into a material.Also, an identifier may be embedded in a film or coating, which may bean adhesive film, coating or tape, having one or a plurality ofparticles or filaments therein. For example a roll of encoded adhesivetape may be attached to an item for labeling. Identifiers that areembedded inside (e.g., on or near the surface) of a substrate and/orsurface, may be permanent, non-removable identifiers that can operate inrelatively harsh environments (e.g., subjected to harsh chemicals,temperature, pressure, electromagnetic, etc.).

Identifiers may or may not be affected by spot imperfections, scratches,cracks or breaks in the substrate and/or surface carrying theidentifiers. Identifiers may be produced such that they are spatiallyinvariant, where splitting or slicing an identifier axially producesmore elements with the same code such that the code is not lost, butinstead replicated in each piece.

Identifiers also may be coated by paint, a protective coating or thelike. Identifiers may be layered onto each other or overlapping eachother such that the combination of two or more identifiers overlappingeach other represents a unique code. Identifiers may be identified,recognized, and/or transmit data through other objects (e.g., anidentifier may be detected and transmit information through a lidcomponent (e.g., through a flange of a lid)). Sometimes identifierstransmit different information based on the method of detection used. Insome embodiments one or more types of information may be layered in oneor more identifiers, and in certain embodiments, the different types ofinformation may be detected by one or more detectors. In someembodiments, the layered information may be present in non-overlappingidentifier regions. In certain embodiments, the layered information maybe present in overlapping identifier regions. In some embodiments, thelayered information may be present in non-overlapping identifier regionsand in overlapping identifier regions. For example, identifiers that aretransparent to some electromagnetic wavelengths and opaque to otherelectromagnetic wavelengths sometimes allow detection of differentinformation based on the type of detector used for detection. The term“different information” as used with regards to layered informationpresent in identifiers refers to one or more types of information thatcan be encoded in an identifier, which information sometimes can bedetected under certain detection conditions, but not other detectionconditions (e.g., detected with certain electromagnetic wavelengths, butnot other electromagnetic wavelengths).

Identifiers and/or detection of identifiers also may be modified by oneor more additives added to materials from which cage components aremanufactured. In some embodiments, one or more additives added topolymers used to manufacture cage components described herein can altertransparency or opaqueness of a cage component to various types ofelectromagnetic radiation used to detect one or more identifiers.

Detectors and Readers

An identifier may be read visually by a user or may be read by a machine(e.g., automated detection). Machines that detect, scan and/or identifyidentifiers are referred to herein as “readers” or “detectors.” Someidentifiers are detected, scanned and/or identified without use of areader, and some identifiers are detected, scanned and/or identifiedwith the use of a reader. A reader may be a mechanical machine, and insome embodiments, a reader includes one or more magnetic opticalcomponents. A reader may be mounted to a cage system component (e.g., arack in an automated reading configuration) and/or may be a handhelddevice in some embodiments. The output, input or a signal to or from areader can be directed and received by a controller, computer, mainserver, local server, database, another reader or by a device that has avisual display such as an indicator, in certain embodiments. In someembodiments, a reader is write enabled. That is, in some embodiments areader can alter the information content encoded on a cage component byaltering (e.g., adding to, removing from or changing) a cage componentidentifier.

Any convenient configuration of one or more indicators can be utilized.An indicator may be relatively simple, such as a device having a red andgreen light, which can indicate two states, such as, yes or no, open orclosed, and the like, for example. An indicator may respond toidentification of an identifier or location of an identifier by a signalother than a visual signal, such as an auditory, tactile, or olfactorysignal, for example. An indicator can be a graphic display of one ormore rack systems, and show cage positions associated with one or morecriteria (e.g., user-defined criteria or pre-programmed criteria) incertain embodiments. A reader may be integrated with an indicator, suchthat a reader can respond to identification of an identifier or locationof identifier by producing a visual, auditory, tactile, or olfactorysignal. Thus a reader may be synonymous to an indicator.

A reader may comprise a detector, which detects an identifier anddelivers electrical signals to a controller, the latter of whichprocesses electrical signals transmitted by the detector i to produce avisual display or data of, for example, information about/recorded bythe identifier and/or location of the identifier. A reader may be inwireless communication or directly connected to a controller and/orcomputer processor. A reader may be a mobile device with a scanneroperably coupled to the mobile device. The scanner may include a lightsource, a lens, a photo conductor which translates optical impulses intoelectrical impulses, an output port, and the like, in some embodiments.Readers also may include decoder circuitry which analyze an identifier'simage in certain embodiments.

Any variety of readers may be utilized to detect identifiers, such as adevice that can detect an identifier described herein. Non-limitingexamples of readers include pen type readers, laser scanners, CCDreaders, camera based readers and the like. In some embodiments, anidentifier is moved past a relatively stationary reader and the readerdetects the identifier before, during or after the identifier is indetectable proximity with the reader. In certain embodiments, the readeris moved past a relatively stationary identifier and the reader detectsthe identifier before, during or after the reader is in detectableproximity with the identifier. An identifier and reader may be movedpast the other (e.g., moved over the other, moved near the other) in asuitable or convenient manner, such as by a user or by an automatedtranslation device (e.g., a robot may move a cage component orcomponents past a reader or move a movable reader past a cagecomponent). A reader may detect a signal emitted from an identifier insome embodiments, and sometimes a reader can detect a signal firstgenerated by the reader and then transmitted back to the reader from theidentifier (e.g., reflected by the identifier). A signal transmitted toa reader from an identifier may be processed or decoded by the reader insome embodiments, and the processed signal may be forwarded to anotherpart of a system (e.g., processor and/or controller). In someembodiments, a signal is two or more signals (e.g., 2 or more signals, 3or more signals, 4 or more signals, or more than 5 signals). In certainembodiments, each signal is the same signal, and in some embodiments,each signal is a different signal. In embodiments having two or moredifferent signals, each signal may be detected by the same detector orone or more signals may be detected by a different detector. A signaltransmitted to a reader from an identifier may be forwarded directly,without processing or decoding, to another part of a system (e.g.,processor and/or controller) in certain embodiments. In the latterembodiments, another part of a system may process and/or decode anidentifier signal detected by the reader. Certain specific types ofreaders that can be utilized are described hereafter.

Pen type readers can include a light source and a photodiode placed nextto each other in the tip of a pen, wand or projected device, in someembodiments. To read an identifier, the tip of the pen or device oftenmoves across the bars of an identifier in a steady motion. Thephotodiode measures the intensity of the light reflected back from thelight source and generates a waveform that is used to measure the widthsof the bars and spaces in the identifier. Dark bars in the identifierabsorb light and white spaces reflect light so that the voltage waveformgenerated by the photo diode is a representation of the bar and spacepattern in the identifier. This waveform is decoded by the scanner in amanner similar to the way Morse code dots and dashes are decoded.

Laser scanners are similar to pen type readers except that they may usea laser beam as the light source and may employ a reciprocating mirroror a rotating prism to scan the laser beam back and forth across theidentifier. Similar to a pen type reader, a photodiode is used tomeasure the intensity of the light reflected back from the identifier.In pen readers and laser scanners, the light emitted by the reader oftenis tuned to a specific frequency and the photodiode is designed todetect modulated light of the same frequency.

CCD readers (also referred to as LED scanner) use an array of (e.g.,hundreds of) tiny light sensors lined up in a row in the head of thereader. Each sensor can function as a single photodiode that measuresthe intensity of light immediately in front of it. Each individual lightsensor in the CCD reader often is small and because there are aplurality of sensors lined up in a row, a voltage pattern identical tothe pattern in a bar code is generated in the reader by sequentiallymeasuring the voltages across each sensor in the row. A differencebetween a CCD reader and a pen or laser scanner sometimes is the CCDreader is measuring emitted ambient light from the identifier whereas apen or a laser scanner is measuring reflected light of a specificfrequency originating from the scanner itself

A camera-based reader or 2D imaging scanner also may be used. Such adevice often makes use of a small video camera that can capture an imageof an identifier. The reader then may make use of a digital imageprocessing technique to decode the identifier. Video cameras use thesame CCD technology as in a CCD identifier reader except that instead ofhaving a single row of sensors, a video camera has hundreds of rows ofsensors arranged in a two dimensional array so that they can generate animage.

A reader may be located in any suitable or convenient location on adevice, such as on a rack, on a shelf, on a cage mount assembly, on ananimal cage, on a controller, on a computer, or on a hand-held device,for example. Different types of readers may be used in combination. Oronly one specific type of reader may be used. In some embodiments,readers may be configured with a water tight seal, to allow washing of arack without the need for reader removal. In some embodiments, atranslucent faceplate or cover is used to seal the LED's sometimes usedas the indicators in a reader. In certain embodiments, the translucentfaceplate or cover is made of a plastic, and in some embodiments, theplastic is a Lexan™. In certain embodiments, the reader is configured tofit into a cage mount front module receptacle with a watertight seal.

Non-limiting embodiments of reader configurations are shown in FIGS.4-6, 22-23, 60, 62, 68A-69C, 83-86C, and 88. Non-limiting examples ofcage mount assembly receptacle plugs are shown in FIGS. 56-59, and 63.FIGS. 4A-D show a top, isometric, front and side perspective views,respectively, of a cage 20 being inserted into a rack shelf 300 havingreader 404. This shelf 300 has a side frame piece 286 and is at the leftmost location on a rack. The cage 20 has a lid 132 having identifier 400and bottom or base 130 having identifier 402. FIGS. 4A and 4B show thereader 404 in-line with identifiers 400 and 402. FIG. 4D shows the cage20 is engaged with, but not yet inserted into, shelf 300 of a rack. Whenthe cage 20 is inserted into shelf 300, identifiers 400 and 402 passin-line under reader 404 such that the reader can detect eachidentifier. FIGS. 68A-D show a top, isometric, front and sideperspective views, respectively, of a cage 20 being inserted into a racksupport member 502 having reader 564′. Rack support member 502 has cagemount guide rail 552 located on each side of a cage station and in someembodiments reader 564, 564′ are located at the front of each guiderail. Cage 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 68A-D, shows identifier 400 andidentifier 402. FIGS. 68A-B show reader 564′ in-line with identifiers400 and 402. FIG. 68D shows cage 20 is engaged with, but not yetinserted into, rack support member 502. When the cage 20 is insertedinto rack support member 502, identifiers 400 and 402 pass in-line underreader 564′ such that the reader can detect each identifier.

FIGS. 5A-C show front views of a system that includes a reader 404, acage 20, having front 130, inserted into a cage rack with different LEDillumination representing different states. The LED 405 is an example ofan indicator within a reader. The LED illumination has three states, asseen in the circular expansions in FIGS. 5A-C. The states are clear(FIG. 5A), shaded (FIG. 5B), and dark (FIG. 5C).

FIGS. 69A-C show front views of a system that includes a reader 564′, acage 20 inserted into a cage rack with different LED illuminationrepresenting different states. The LED 565 is an example of an indicatorwithin a reader. The LED illumination has three states, as seen in thecircular expansions in FIGS. 69A-C. The states are clear (FIG. 69A),shaded (FIG. 69B), and dark (FIG. 69C). The states illustrated in FIGS.69-A-C are non-limiting examples. In some embodiments, the states (e.g.,cage status) can be indicated by different colored LED's, and in certainembodiments additional states not described herein also can be indicatedby LED indicators within a reader.

FIGS. 6A-C show isometric perspective views of two adjacent readers 404being mounted onto the shelves 300 of the rack assembly. Also shown is abar shield or bar wiring harness shield 406 that holds readers 404 andcan protect a ribbon cable running from the readers (not shown). Thecable from readers on the same horizontal shelf row may travel throughthe bar shield to the side of the rack assembly. At the side of the rackassembly, cables from multiple horizontal rows may meet up with eachother and can travel vertically to the top of the rack assembly wherethey can be wired to a power source and/or into a controller. In someembodiments, readers 404 are in wireless communication with a controllerand/or local server. Also shown are reader shelf mounts 408 at the frontof each shelf 300. Reader shelf mounts 408 is where readers 404 canattach onto each shelf 300. In some embodiments, there is a reader shelfmount 408 and reader 404 for each shelf 300 within a rack assembly.

In some embodiments, one or more cage components have a first detectableidentifier and a second identifier. In certain embodiments, the cage lidcan have a first and second detectable identifier or the cage base canhave a first and second detectable identifier or a cage lid can have afirst detectable identifier and a cage base can have a second detectableidentifier. A detector or reader can be configured to detect the firstor second detectable identifier. The detector can be attached to or ispart of a cage mount assembly. In certain embodiments, the detector ispart of the front module of a cage mount assembly. In anotherembodiment, there can be a first and a second detector and the firstdetector is configured to detect the first detectable identifier and thesecond detector is configured to detect the second detectableidentifier. The cage can have the first and second detectable identifieron opposite sides along the length of a cage. The first and seconddetectors can be on adjacent cage mount assembles attached to a cagerack. In certain embodiments, the detectors can be part of the frontmodules of cage mount assemblies. The first detector can be configuredto detect the first detectable identifier and the second detector can beconfigured to detect the second detectable identifier when a cage isslid into the cage mount assemblies and the first detectable identifierpasses the first detector and the second detectable identifier passesthe second detector.

In some embodiments, a cage system includes a cage component having adetectable identifier and a first detector configured to detect theidentifier. The detectable identifier can be part of the cage lid or thecage base. The detector can be attached to a cage mount assembly. Incertain embodiments, the detector is part of the front module of a cagemount assembly. The detector can be configured to detect the detectableidentifier when a cage with the cage with the detectable identifier isslid into the cage mount assembly and the detectable identifier passesthe detector.

FIGS. 22-23, 60, 62, 68A-D, 69A-C, 83-86C and 88 illustrate alternatereader configurations suitable for use with cage rack 500 describedherein. FIG. 22A-D and FIG. 68A-D show top, isometric, front and sideperspective views, respectively of cage 20 being inserted into cage rack500 cage mount assembly 530, which includes reader 564, 564′. Reader564, 564′ includes LED's 565, which indicate cage insertion status uponreading cage identifier 400 located on lid 132 of cage 20. Reader 564′includes a substantially sealed translucent cover over LED's 565. Withthe exception of the end cage mount assemblies located at each end ofsupport member 502, reader 564, 564′ effectively contacts two separatecages and indicates the status of each cage by LED's 565. Each cage 20is read by two independent readers 564, 564′, in some embodiments. Eachreader in operational contact with lid 132 of cage 20 reads one of twoindependent identifiers 400, 402 located on lid 132. Using two readersto report insertion status for each cage aids in proper alignment andplacement of cage 20.

FIGS. 23A-C and 69A-C illustrate non-limiting examples of differentstatus reports possible via LED's 565 of reader 564, 564′. FIGS. 23A-Cand 69A-C illustrate a front view of cage 20 engaged with cage mountassembly 530, 530′ including cage reader 564, 564′, respectively. TheLED status shown in FIGS. 23A-C and 69A-C correspond to the LED statusshown in FIGS. 5A-C. FIGS. 60 and 86 are partial cut away isometricviews illustrating support member 502 with cage reader assembly 530,530′. Also illustrated in FIGS. 60 and 86 is reader 564, 564′ beinginserted into the front of cage mount assembly 530 reader receptacle569. Also illustrated in FIG. 86 is cage mount guide rail stop 553. FIG.62 is an isometric view of reader 564, illustrating LED's 565,communication plugs 559, cage mount guide rail stem 554, cage mountguide rail cross projection 556 and cage mount front module beveled lip568. FIG. 88 is an isometric view of reader 564′, illustrating thesealed translucent cover, which hides LED's 565 from view unless theLED's are active, communication plugs 559, cage mount guide rail stem554, cage mount guide rail cross projection 556 and cage mount frontmodule beveled lip 568. Communication plugs 559 are inserted into eSATAreceptacle 912 of communication medium 536, 538 in some embodiments.

Use and Function of Identifiers

It is often desirable to uniquely label or identify items, such as cagecomponents, cage contents (e.g., animals), cage conditions, and cageuser information for sorting, tracking, identification, verification,authentication, inventory, billing, management,anti-theft/anti-counterfeit, security/anti-terrorism, forensics, and/orfor other purposes. One issue regarding maintenance of a rack system andthe animals contained within the cages supported by the rack systemconcerns efficient and accurate gathering, processing and displayinginformation regarding the interior conditions of each cage to labpersonnel. In many circumstances regarding the care and maintenance ofsystems or studies involving multiple containment cages that houselaboratory animals, the cages are cleaned, changed or otherwisemaintained on a regular schedule that may be dictated by good laboratorypractices and may also include the input of a veterinary professional.Because of the complicated nature of the interaction of an animal withits surroundings, maintenance schedules may often be calculated ordetermined based on a worst case scenario for a group of cages. Morespecifically, the maintenance schedule for all cages may be determinedby the cage having the highest bio-burden as it is too time consuming tomonitor each cage individually. For such an arrangement, cages notimmediately requiring maintenance will receive it anyway, resulting in anon-efficient use of laboratory resources and unnecessary maintenance ofsome cages having a lower bio-burden or the like. In addition, even ifcage monitoring data is available remotely to laboratory personnel, iflaboratory personnel are tasked with monitoring a large number of cages,it may still be burdensome to process all the cage data.

Identifiers may serve any suitable or convenient purpose. For example,identifiers may be clocking identifiers, cage position identifiers orlocation identifiers, content identifiers, user identifiers, cagecomponent identifiers, cage condition identifiers or combinationsthereof. A clocking identifier may measure and record time and/or speedby which the identifier was read. A clocking identifier may alsofunction as a meter, a speedometer or taximeter, for measuring andrecording speed, distance covered, or other quantitative functioning ofhow the identifier was read or data acquired.

Information from one identifier may be associated with information fromanother identifier in some embodiments. Information from an identifiercan be associated with information not generated from an identifier,such as, for example, information inputted or read by a user or machine(e.g., cage card information, cage content information, cage userinformation, information entered by a user into the rack controller).

In certain embodiments, a cage position identifier or locationidentifier may act in collaboration with one or more other indicators,readers, identifiers, systems, sensors or components to disclose itslocation. A cage position identifier or location identifier may storelocation information regarding its position in relation to otheridentifiers and or other cage components or other relative location(e.g., a GPS location), in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, acage position identifier or location identifier may transmit a wirelessGPS signal to a reader, controller or computer having a digital screento display the location when the identifier is moved, soiled, oractivated by a variety of actions.

In some embodiments, a cage content identifier may contain informationregarding the occupants of the animal cage such as the number and typeof animals in a cage, the owner of a cage, the age of an animal, the sexof an animal, the pedigree of an animal, the experimental procedureplanned for an animal, the observations/notes by a cage user, or thelike. A cage user identifier may contain information regarding users ofthe rack system or of one or more cages such as the personnel accessinga cage, the time of cage access, the date of cage access, the purpose ofcage access or the like.

In certain embodiments, a cage component identifier may label oridentify an object the identifier is located on, for example a cage lidcomponent, a cage base component, an air supply component, an airexhaust component, a water supply component, a sensor component, afilter component, a baffle component, a bedding component or a feeder orthe like.

In some embodiments, a cage condition identifier may contain informationregarding any conditional changes made to the inside or outside of thecage itself or any materials used in maintenance of the cages, such as afood change, a water change, a medicine administered to the occupants ofthe cage, a bedding material change, a filter change, a syringeadministered to one or more animals, a glove used by personnel cleaningthe cages, cleaning supplies used to clean the cages or the like. A cagecondition identifier may also contain a time/date stamp of when thenon-cage material was used for the cage or when the cage was maintained.In some embodiments, a cage condition identifier comprises a beddingcomponent, and in certain embodiments a bedding component identifiercomprises a sensor chosen from a chemical sensor, RFID sensor, thermalsensor, moisture sensor, the like and combinations of the foregoing.

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of a cage 20 with a cage card 410and several cage card identifier or cage content identifiers 412 in arow. FIG. 7 shows the cage card 410 mounted onto the front of the cagebottom 130 with information displayed, such date, study # andinvestigator. There are seven cage card identifiers 412 horizontallylined up next to each other that have perforated sides such that a usermay tear or detach each identifier separately from the cage card. Thecage card identifiers 412 also may have an adhesive backing such thatthey will stick to other surfaces. Each identifier has a symbol and abar code or serial code. The symbol on the identifier 412 is a smileyface. In maintaining a disposable animal cage, the cage bottom 130and/or cage lid 132 may be replaced. Upon replacing the cage bottom 130,the cage card 410 can be taken off the old cage bottom and attached tothe new cage bottom. In some embodiments, cage components, such as acage lid or cage bottom, that are associated with a specific cage or acage card 410, can be placed with the same identifier such as 412 fortracking. If a reader is located above a cage, as shown in FIGS. 4A-D,identifiers of cage components and cage content identifiers 412 may allbe placed in-line such that the reader can detect them as the cage isinserted into the shelf rack assembly. Personnel switching an old cagebottom for a new cage bottom may perforate one cage card identifier 412from the cage card 410 and place it on the flange of either the cage lid132 or cage bottom 130, in-line with the identifiers 400 and 402 suchthat the reader 400 can now identify the three identifiers together andthus associated them together. After changing the cage bottom 130, thenew cage bottom has a new cage bottom identifier 402 and is associatedwith the correct/corresponding cage content identifier 412 and cage lididentifier400. The old cage bottom and the new cage bottom may have thesame identifier code. The old cage bottom and the new cage bottom mayhave different identifier codes. The location of the identifiers at thesame coordinates may associate them together. The detection of theidentifiers at the same time/date may associate them together. Detectingthe identifiers by the same reader may associate them together and thelike.

By detecting and processing information from identifiers, systems andmethods described herein can allow lab personnel to reliably andconveniently monitor the interior conditions of each individual cagesupported by a rack system with cage status information beingconveniently and efficiently displayed. Also, systems and methodsprovided herein can allow for tracking cage component inventory andplacing orders for cage components from a manufacturer or distributor.Systems and methods provided herein can allow for tracking of cageconditions and identification of cages that share certain conditions(e.g., amount of food and/or water placed into a cage and when eachamount was placed in the cage; type and amount of drug administered tospecific animals in a cage and time and date of such administration).Systems and methods herein also can allow for tracking of certainactivities associated with vivarium personnel, thereby providing forefficiency and security determinations (e.g., which personnel handled aparticular cage, when certain personnel handled a cage, how oftencertain personnel handled a cage). Some of these functions are describedfurther in the section herein entitled “Processors, Controllers andServers.”

In certain embodiments shown in FIG. 9, a rack system 210 includes acontroller 230 that may be coupled to a blower assembly 224 and 226 andone or more sensors (not shown). The sensors include any of a variety ofconfigurations or types that may be used to monitor conditions withineach individual cage 20 supported by rack system 210. The data obtainedby the controller 230 from the sensors, identifiers, or other sourcesmay be processed by a computing system disposed within the controller,main server, local server or any other suitable location in the systemthat may include a processor and data storage device and then displayedon a graphic user interface in a convenient visual display format.

In certain embodiments shown in FIG. 26, cage rack system 500 includescontroller 580 that may be coupled to blower assembly 600, 700 and oneor more sensors (not shown). The controller can be mounted on the top ofa side member 504, 506 or on the side of a side member. In oneembodiment, the controller can be mounted on a controller side mount582. The sensors include any of a variety of configurations or typesthat may be used to monitor conditions within each individual cage 20supported by cage rack 500. The data obtained by controller 580 from thesensors, identifiers, or other sources may be processed by a computingsystem disposed within the controller, main server, local server or anyother suitable location in the system that may include a processor anddata storage device and then displayed on a graphic user interface in aconvenient visual display format. In some embodiments, a controller cancommunicate with blower assembly 600, 700 and one or more sensewirelessly.

Cages

Some animal containment cage embodiments may include a containment cagebase member, a cover or lid member, and an optional insertion member ordevice. An animal cage base sometimes is provided separately from a lid,the lid often may be attached to the cage base and the lid may bereadily detachable from the base. An animal, such as a rodent, and/oroptional insertion member may be placed in a cage base before a lid isattached. A variety of animals may be contained within cage embodimentsdescribed herein. Rodents often are contained within such units,including but not limited to mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs,chinchillas and rabbits. The animal can be transgenic, inbred,immunodeficient, lack one or more functional genes (e.g., knock-outanimal), and/or can include one or more xenografts. Examples ofimmunodeficient mice include nude mice and severe combined immunedeficiency (SCID) mice. Cells from cultured cell lines, cultured primarycells or directly from another animal or tissue (e.g., biopsy) may beutilized for xenografts (e.g., cancer cells from a human). The animalscontained in cages and systems described herein can be utilized in avariety of manners, including but not limited to studying cancer andother diseases, assessing parameters of potential drugs (e.g., toxicity,efficacy, maximum tolerated doses, effective doses and otherpharmacokinetic parameters), producing and isolating antibodies andproducing and isolating cells useful for preparing hybridomas, forexample.

Cage base embodiments may be of any geometry suitable for housinganimals, such as cylindrical, substantially cylindrical, conical,rectangular, square, cubic, rhomboid and the like, for example. Cagebase embodiments may include a bottom member that supports a pluralityof sides or sidewall members (e.g., four sidewall members). One sidewallmember may be referred to as a “front sidewall member” and the oppositesidewall member may be referred to as a “rear sidewall member.” Opposingsidewall members sometimes are parallel, substantially parallel, notparallel, rhomboid, substantially rhomboid or a combination thereof. Insome embodiments, opposing sidewalls are not parallel, and are notvertical or perpendicular with respect to the bottom. In suchembodiments, a sidewall, and sometimes all sidewalls, are at a non-90degree angle with respect to the bottom, such as an angle between about91 degrees and about 105 degrees, an angle of about 92 degrees to about98 degrees or an angle of about 95 degrees, for example. Such angledsidewall configurations (with respect to the bottom) can promote cagebase nesting (described in greater detail hereafter).

In certain embodiments, a guide member and/or support member is aflange, projection, rib or groove located on the exterior surface of abottom member of a base and/or one or both cage sidewall members (e.g.,sidewall member adjacent to the front sidewall and rear sidewall), andoften may be parallel with the top edges of the sidewall members. Suchguide members and support members sometimes extend from the front edgeof a sidewall member, sometimes extend to the rear edge of a sidewallmember, sometimes extend from a point in a sidewall member a distancefrom the front edge, and sometimes extend to a point in a sidewallmember a distance from the rear edge. Such members sometimes areoriented in the middle half of the vertical length of a sidewall member,and sometimes are oriented in the middle of the vertical length. In someembodiments, guides are low profile, and sometimes are grooves ordepressions, that do not substantially interfere with nesting of cagebases.

Some cage base embodiments may be manufactured from any materialsuitable for housing an animal, such as a small rodent, for a timeperiod of about one week or greater. The material may be rigid, andoften is a semi-rigid or flexible material. The cage base sometimes isconstructed entirely, or in part, from a translucent or transparentmaterial. The material sometimes includes additives that alter thetransparency or opaqueness of the cage base to various types ofelectromagnetic radiation. Examples of materials that may be utilizedfor manufacture of any of the a cage base or lid embodiments discussedherein include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (PE), high-densitypolyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene teraphthalate(PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylenefluoroethylene (PEFE),polystyrene (PS), high-density polystryrene, acrylnitrile butadienestyrene copolymers and the like. In certain embodiments, a cage isconstructed from PET or PS (e.g., high density PS). For any of theembodiments discussed herein, it may be desirable to use aphotodegradable or biodegradable material in order to reduce the impactof the use of disposable type cage assemblies on landfills and otherwaste management depots. One such material may include a biodegradablePET, such as a biodegradable PET by BioLand from Advanced Extrusions inMinnesota. Such a biodegradable PET material may include thepolyethylene terephthalate and an organic additive which creates anextension of the polymer chain that is highly attractive to microbes.Some such additives may be used that do not degrade the strength,stiffness, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, gas barrierproperties or migration propensity of the material. Some biodegradablePET materials may have a specific gravity of about 1.3 grams per cm2 anda tensile strength of about 7,000 psi to about 8,500 psi.

A cover or lid may be provided separately from a cage base, oftenreversibly mates with a cage base, sometimes in sealing attachment, andmay be of any suitable geometry allowing for attachment to baseembodiments, including sliding attachment. Some lid embodiments mayinclude one or more members that directly mate with and seal with one ormore members of a base; sometimes has no side wall members; andsometimes is planar or substantially planar. Some lid embodiments may beconstructed from any material that allows for animal containment forabout one week or greater. Materials for constructing a lid sometimesare selected to allow for sealing or partial sealing attachment to acage base. Examples of materials from which lid embodiments may beconstructed include those described above for cage base embodiments.Additives that alter the transparency or opaqueness of cage baseembodiments also can be used in lid embodiments. Non-limiting examplesof additives that alter the transparency or opaqueness of a cagecomponent include chemical additives, metallic additives, particulateadditives, films, inks, dyes, and other additives that alter theabsorption or transmission of electromagnetic radiation passing througha cage component. Sometimes the lid and base are constructed from thesame material and sometimes are of a similar or the same thickness as athickness of a corresponding base.

Some lid embodiments may be flexible or semi-rigid and include asubstantially planar region and a flange region. The substantiallyplanar region may include one or more components described herein. Aflange region of lid embodiments sometimes is embossed, may be raisedand may includes a region that extends downwards as a lip (referred toherein as a “lip”). A flange and optional lip region may extendcontinuously around the perimeter of lid embodiments. The profile of theflange and optional lip often correspond to a flange and optional lip ona cage base, and may allow the lid to seal or partially seal with somebase embodiments. The flange and optional lip may include any suitableshape to fit with corresponding base embodiments, and sometimes areS-shaped, V-shaped, J-shaped and U-shaped, upwards or inverted, forexample.

In some embodiments the lid includes one or more connectors adapted toreceive an air supply or air exhaust component or water supply component(e.g., a nozzle or nozzle receptacle). A connector can be of anygeometry to receive a corresponding connector from an air supply, airexhaust or water supply component. The cage lid connector often mateswith the air supply, air exhaust or water supply connector by a sealingattachment, and often by a reversible connection, and the connectors areof any suitable type. For example, the connection may be defined bycylindrical, square, rectangular or conical side geometry, and flat,rounded, tip or point geometry for the top or bottom, for example. Theconnecting member in the lid may be a protrusion or a void (e.g.,concave or convex, respectively) that receives a corresponding matingvoid or protrusion, respectively.

One or more cages may be stored on or in a rack module, and anyconvenient configuration for storing a cage can be utilized. A cagesometimes is placed on a surface of a rack module and stored for aperiod of time. A cage often resides on a shelf or rail connected to arack. A rack module sometimes includes one or more mount members usefulfor storing one or more cages in or on the rack module. A correspondingmount member sometimes is located on one or more outer surfaces of acage and is adapted to connect with a mount member located on a rackmodule. In certain embodiments, a mount member is a groove or flange onone or more surfaces of a rack module and is adapted to receive,sometimes slideably receive, a corresponding flange or groove on or in acage. There may be sufficient distance between the top of a mounted cageand the lower surface of a rack module located above the cage to permitairflow out of the cage in such embodiments.

As discussed above, for any of the cage system embodiments discussedherein or components thereof, including the base 130 and lid 132, it maybe desirable to use a photodegradable or biodegradable material in orderto reduce the impact of the use of disposable type cage assemblies onlandfills and other waste management depots. One such material mayinclude a biodegradable PET, such as a biodegradable PET manufactured byBioLand company. Such a biodegradable PET material may include thepolyethylene terephthalate and an organic additive which creates anextension of the polymer chain that is highly attractive to microbes.Some such additives may be used that do not degrade the strength,stiffness, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, gas barrierproperties or migration propensity of the material. Some biodegradablePET materials may have a specific gravity of about 1.3 grams per cm2 anda tensile strength of about 7,000 psi to about 8,500 psi.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cage 20 assemblysuitable for use with the modular rack system. The cage has a lid 132,bottom 130, two nozzle receptacles 66 and 68, four post couplers 138, avent structure 136, a channel 134 on the perimeter of the lid 132 whichis configured to mate by snap fit to the rim of the base 130 alsoextends continuously around the perimeter of the lid, a flange portion82 of the cage assemblies 20 which may be configured to have asubstantially loose fit in a transverse or horizontal direction so as toallow some movement and adjustment of the conical receptacles 66 and 68of the cage assembly 20 with respect to the fixed nozzles of the shelfassembly, and a remote sensor 140.

As depicted in FIG. 4A-4D, a cage 20 may be inserted into a shelf 300 ofa rack system such that the shelf includes a channel into which aportion of the cage can slide. A channel may be a rail, a groove orfurrow, a flute, a route or passageway through which anything passes.FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the shelf 300 assembly of FIG. 6. Sensors340 FIG. 21 shows the rim or lip portion 308 which extends around theperimeter of the shelf 300. The reader shelf mount 408 is fastened ontothe rim 308. Also shown are the sensors 340, frame member 278 of theshelf 300 with a rail 276.

As depicted in FIG. 68A-4D, a cage 20 may be inserted into a racksupport member 502 of a rack system such that the shelf includes achannel into which a portion of the cage can slide. A channel may be arail, a groove or furrow, a flute, a route or passageway through whichan object may pass. Illustrated in FIG. 68A-D is a cage mount assembly,which includes cage mount guide rail 552, cage mount guide rail stem554, cage mount guide rail stop 553, cage mount front module beveled lip568 and cage mount guide rail cross projection 556, 557 (557 not shownin FIG. 68A-D). FIGS. 61A-B and 87A-B show a bottom view of the racksupport member 502 of FIGS. 60A-C and 86A-C. Readers 564, 564′ aremounted to the front end of cage mount assembly 530, 530′ via frontmodule receptacle 569.

Racks

Rack units or systems may be referred to herein as “cage mountingplatforms”, “cage mounting systems” or “rodent containment cage racks”.A rack unit generally includes one or more cage mount support membersattached to two side members where the side members often are parallelor substantially parallel and cage mount support members often areparallel or substantially parallel. Rack unit embodiments may beconstructed from any suitable material. Non-limiting examples ofmaterials used to construct a rack unit include metal alloys (e.g.,sheet metal), polymers, the like and combinations of the foregoing. Arack unit often comprises airflow components, often located internally,such as plenums, apertures and connectors which are described hereafter.A rack unit sometimes includes additional components, non-limitingexamples of which include one or more blower units, a power supply, acontroller unit, communication medium, cage readers and other desireddevices.

In some embodiments, a rack unit is mounted onto a trolley assembly.Sometimes a trolley assembly is configured as a base for one or morerack units and for transportation of a rack unit or plurality of rackunits. The trolley assembly includes a trolley frame tube and trolleyplate mounts onto which the rack unit is mounted in certain embodiments.In some embodiments, a trolley assembly has two trolley plate mountsattached at each end for mounting of a side member. In some embodiments,the trolley assembly includes coasters or wheels. In certain embodimentsa trolley assembly has more than one set of trolley plate mountsattached to each end to accommodate more than one rack unit. In certainembodiments, two rack units are attached to a trolley mount, sometimesback to back and sometimes side to side. A trolley assembly can beconstructed from any suitable material, non-limiting examples of whichinclude a metal (e.g., sheet metal), a polymer the like or a combinationof the foregoing.

In some embodiments, a rack unit is configured for use with smallerrodents (e.g., mice), and in certain embodiments a rack unit isconfigured for use with larger rodents (e.g., rats). Rack units can beconfigured with any number of cage stations suitable for use with thedesired type and/or size of rodent. In some embodiments a single rackunit is configured with up to 96 cage stations when configured for usewith smaller rodents, and in certain embodiments, the cage stations areconfigured in an array of 8 columns×12 rows. In some embodiments tworack units configured for use with smaller rodents can be connected togenerate a double rack unit with up to 192 cages. In some embodiments asingle rack unit is configured with up to 40 cage stations whenconfigured for use with larger rodents, and in certain embodiments, thecage stations are configured in an array of 5 columns×8 rows. In someembodiments two rack units configured for use with larger rodents can beconnected to generate a double rack unit with up to 80 cages.

Cage Mount Support Members

Cage mount support members generally are disposed between and connectedto the side members. In some embodiments, a cage mount support memberincludes plenums for the movement of air through the rack system andincludes docking positions for engagement of cages. In some embodimentsthe cage mount support members are disposed between two side members,are substantially perpendicular to the side members and cage mountsupport members and are substantially parallel to each other. A rackunit generally has one or more cage support members, sometimes 1 to 20support members (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18 or 19 support members). In some embodiments a rack unit hastwelve cage support members. In certain embodiments, a rack unit has 8cage support members.

Generally, the length of the cage mount support member is dependent on adesired or pre-determined width of the rack unit or the number of cagesthat can be attached to a cage mount support member. Generally, thenumber of cages that can be attached to a cage mount support member is 1to 20 cages (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18 or 19 cages). In some embodiments, the number of cages that can beattached to a cage mount support member is eight. In certainembodiments, the number of cages that can be attached to a cage mountsupport member is five.

A cage mount support member generally includes an upper surface and alower surface and one or more channels or plenums. A cage mount supportmember can have any suitable profile, and non-limiting examples includerectangular, cylindrical and elliptical. The upper and lower surface ofa cage mount support member generally is planar or curved and sometimesthe surfaces are joined together (e.g., directly or indirectly) and/orare contiguous. In some embodiments, the cage mount support member iselliptical or semi-elliptical with the upper surface convex relative tothe lower surface and with rounded junctions between the upper and lowersurfaces. In some embodiments, a cage mount support member and plenumswithin are of a unitary construction.

The channels or plenums of a cage mount support member generally areindependent, with substantially no air communication between theplenums. The plenums extend substantially the length of the cage supportmember in certain embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more walls(e.g., continuous or sections attached to each other) of the cage mountsupport member contain a first support member plenum and a secondsupport member plenum that extend substantially the length of the cagemount support member. The plenums generally are tubular and can have anysuitable profile, non-limiting examples of which include rectangular,cylindrical and elliptical. Plenums within a cage mount support member,or among different cage mount support members in a rack, can have thesame or different profiles. In some embodiments, the profiles of the twoplenums in a cage mount support member are generally elliptical. Aplenum can include any suitable number of walls and sometimes shares oneor more walls of a cage mount support member, and/or one or more wallswith another plenum in the same cage mount support member (e.g., share adividing wall). In some embodiments, a cage mount support memberincludes two plenums that are separated from one another and do notshare a dividing wall.

A cage mount support member in some embodiments can be directly abuttedagainst the side member or connected via a connector (e.g., a sleeve).In some embodiments, there is a gasket between a cage mount supportmember and a side member to provide a substantially air tight seal atthe junction of the cage mount support member and the side member. Thegasket can be manufactured from any suitable material, and in certainembodiments, the gasket can be manufactured from silicone rubber (othernon-limiting examples of gasket materials are described herein). A cagemount support member may be fastened or mounted to a side member by anysuitable connection or connector, and non-limiting examples include athreaded connector (e.g., screw), pin, weld or welds, adhesive or byfriction. In certain embodiments, one or more screws or bolts (e.g., 2,3, 4 or 5 or more screws or bolts) are inserted through a side memberinto bosses or depressions in a cage mount support member.

A cage support member generally has one or more sets of cage connectionapertures in the wall or walls of a lower surface. Each cage connectionaperture generally is in connection with a single plenum. In someembodiments, a cage support member includes a first set of cageconnection apertures in connection with a first support member plenumand a second set of cage connection apertures in connection with asecond support member plenum. The cage connection apertures can be inany suitable configuration. In some embodiments the cage connectionapertures are regularly spaced across a longer length (i.e., transverseaxis) of a cage mount support member. Sometimes, the first set of cagesupport apertures are disposed along an axis that is parallel to asecond axis on which the second set of cage support apertures arealigned. In some embodiments, a first set of cage support apertures aredisposed on an axis that is parallel to a second axis on which thesecond set of cage connection apertures are aligned and each of theapertures in the first set of apertures is offset from apertures in thesecond set of apertures. Generally, the configuration of cage connectionapertures matches the configuration of the protrusions in the cagecovers, which are also offset, such that when a cage is inserted into arack the cage protrusion connection assemblies in contact with the firstand second set of cage connection apertures are positioned over and cancontact the protrusions in the cage cover. A cage mount support membersometimes includes about 2 to about 50 cage connection apertures (e.g.,4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, 44, 46, 48). In some embodiments, a set of cage connection aperturesincludes about 4 to about 14 apertures (e.g., about eight apertures).Generally, a cage connection aperture is of any suitable shape and sizesufficient to provide a chosen rate of air flow into and out of a cage,and often is circular or oval in cross section.

A cage mount support member generally includes an end aperture for eachplenum, which is at the end of the cage mount support member where itconnects to a side member. In some embodiments, the cage support memberhas a first set of support member end apertures in connection with afirst plenum and a second set of support member end apertures inconnection with a second plenum. The support member end aperture canhave any suitable profile. In some embodiments, the support member endaperture has the same profile as the plenum to which it is connected(e.g., elliptical). Sometimes, the aperture is smaller than the crosssection of a plenum (e.g., the end of the plenum includes a wall and theend aperture is in the wall) and sometimes is substantially coextensivewith the cross section of the plenum (e.g., there is no wall coveringthe end).

In some embodiments, cage mount support member end apertures are ineffective contact with, or are in air communication with, the sidemember end apertures such that each first support member plenum is ineffective connection with each first side member plenum and each secondsupport member plenum is in effective connection with each second sidemember plenum.

Sometimes, a cage mount support member includes a channel, and sometimesone or more channels are positioned between plenums. A channel can haveany suitable profile. In some embodiments, a channel is substantiallyrectangular in profile and is between walls of the two plenums and cancontain a communication medium. In some embodiments, a cover snaps overthe channel.

Side Members

Side members generally are connected to one or more cage mount supportmembers. In some embodiments, side members include plenums for themovement of air through and in and out of the rack system, and sidemembers generally provide support for the cage mount support members. Insome embodiments, there are two side members substantially perpendicularto and connected to two or more cage mount support members. In certainembodiments, side members and support members are directly and/orindirectly (e.g., effectively) connected via a gasket intermediary.

A side member may have any suitable profile, non-limiting examples ofwhich include rectangular, cylindrical and elliptical. In someembodiments, a side of a side member is substantially rectangular. Incertain embodiments, a side member includes a flat inner surface thatcontacts one or more cage support members and a rounded outer surface(e.g., the outer surface is convex with respect to the inner surface).

The height of a side member often is determined by the number of cagemount support members that can be connected (e.g., rows). Generallythere are about 2 to about 20 rows (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 rows). In some embodiments, thereare about twelve rows in a rack unit. In certain embodiments, there areabout eight rows in a rack unit.

A side member generally includes one or more channels or plenums. Thechannels or plenums of the side member generally are independent, withsubstantially no air communication between the plenums. The plenumsoften extend substantially the entire length of a side member. In someembodiments, one or more walls (e.g., continuous or sections attached toeach other) of the side member contain a first side member plenum and asecond side member plenum that extend the length of the side member. Theplenums generally are tubular and can have any suitable profile,non-limiting examples of which include rectangular, cylindrical areelliptical. Plenums in one side member, or among side members in a rack,can have the same or different profiles. In some embodiments, the crosssection of the two plenums in a side member are substantiallyrectangular. Generally, the first side member plenum and the second sidemember plenum in a side member have end apertures. A side member endaperture can have any suitable profile. In some embodiments, the sidemember end aperture has the same profile as the plenum to which it isconnected and is substantially rectangular. Sometimes, the aperture issmaller than the cross section of a plenum (e.g., the end of the plenumis substantially includes a wall and the end aperture is in the wall)and sometimes the aperture is substantially coextensive with the crosssection of the plenum (e.g., there is no wall covering the end).

A side member generally has one or more sets of side member apertures inthe wall or walls of an inner surface. A side member aperture often isin connection with a single side member plenum. In some embodiments,each side member includes a first set of side member apertures and asecond set of side member apertures. One or more apertures of the firstset of side member apertures often are in connection with a first sidemember plenum, and are in effective connection with (e.g., in aircommunication with) one or more apertures of a first set of supportmember end apertures. One or more apertures of a second set of sidemember apertures often are in connection with a second side memberplenum and are in effective connection with (e.g., air communicationwith) one or more apertures of a second set of support member endapertures. Generally a set of side member apertures includes about 1 to20 apertures (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18 or 19 apertures). In some embodiments, a set of side memberapertures is twelve apertures. In certain embodiments, a set of sidemember apertures is 8 apertures. In some embodiments, the first andsecond set of side member apertures are adjacent to each other andregularly spaced along the length of a side member.

The side member apertures can have any suitable profile. In someembodiments, the side member apertures have the same profile as asupport member end aperture to which it is connected. In someembodiments, the side member apertures have an elliptical profile.

A side member sometimes includes one or more a channels, and in someembodiments one or more channels are positioned between plenums. Achannel can have any profile. In some embodiments, a channel has asubstantially rectangular profile, is between walls of two plenums andis suitably configured to contain a communication medium. In the someembodiments a side member includes a communication aperture that is ineffective connection with a channel. Generally, a communication apertureis positioned between first and second side member apertures. Thecommunication apertures can have any suitable profile. In someembodiments, the communication apertures have a substantiallyrectangular profile. The communication aperture often is in effectiveconnection with a channel between the plenums in a cage mount supportmember.

In some embodiments, each side member includes an air connector plate atthe top of the side member. In certain embodiments, an air connectorplate has an aperture the can effectively connect with one of the endapertures at the upper side of a side member. In some embodiments, anair connector plate attached to a side member has an aperture ineffective connection with the aperture on the upper end of a firstplenum of the side member (supply plenum) and an air connector plateattached to the opposite side member has an aperture in effectiveconnection with the aperture on the upper end of a second plenum of theside member (exhaust plenum). An air connector plate generallyeffectively blocks air flow through the plenum in a side member forwhich it has no connecting aperture, i.e., a supply air connector platesubstantially blocks the second side member plenum in the side to whichit is attached and a exhaust air connector plate side member platesubstantially blocks the first side member plenum in for the side it isattached. Generally, a supply air connector plate and exhaust airconnector plate have apertures that are in opposite orientation. In someembodiments an air connector plate functions as a mount for a modularblower unit. In some embodiments a supply air connector plate, andsometimes an exhaust air connector plate, includes a circuit board hubas described below. In certain embodiments, an air connector plate iseffectively (e.g., physically and/or functionally) connected to the topof a side member through a gasket intermediary. In some embodiments, agasket intermediary (e.g., between support members and side members,between air plate connectors and side members, the like) comprises asilicone foam rubber, and in certain embodiments, the silicone foamrubber has a 30 shore A rating. In some embodiments, the silicon foamrubber material used for gaskets is in the range of about 0.100 inchesto about 0.150 inches, +/− about 0.020 inches. In certain embodiments,the silicone foam rubber gasket material is about 0.125 inches +/−0.020inches.

In some embodiments, a side member has an optional cover on the exteriorsurface of the side member opposite the surface of the side member thatcontacts the cage support members. Generally, the cover extendsessentially the entire length of a side member. The cover can bemanufactured from any material suitable for constructing a rack unit.Non-limiting examples of materials used to construct a rack unit includemetal alloys (e.g., sheet metal) polymers, the like and combinations ofthe foregoing. The cover functions to cover any communication mediacontained in a channel in the side member and often serves as a cosmeticfeature.

In some embodiments, each side member is in contact with a gasket (e.g.,gasket intermediary). A gasket often matches the geometry of the firstand second plenums and often is positioned at the bottom of the sidemember between the side member and trolley frame tube with which itcontacts. The gasket generally serves to seal the rack system when airis supplied and exhausted from the rack system. The gasket can be madeof any material suitable for sealing and a non-limiting example issilicone rubber (and other non-limiting examples of gasket materials aredescribed herein).

Cage Mount Assembly

One or more cages may be stored on or in a rack unit and any convenientconfiguration for storing a cage can be utilized. A cage sometimes isplaced on a surface of a rack and stored for a period of time. A rackunit sometimes includes one or more cage mount assemblies useful forstoring one or more cages in or on the rack unit.

Cage mount assemblies are typically positioned on the lower surface of acage mount support member. Cage mount assemblies can be configured inany suitable manner relative to the cage mount support member. Generallycage mount assemblies may be constructed of any material suitable forengaging cages and a non-limiting example is a plastic. Non-limitingexamples of rigid plastic include nylon 30% glass and non-limitingexamples of non-rigid plastic include silicon rubber and silicon rubberfoam. In some embodiments, cage mount assemblies are configured forattaching an upper surface of the cage mount assembly to the lowersurface of a cage mount support member. In some embodiments, a cagemount assembly is configured so that the longer length of the cage mountassembly is perpendicular to the longer length of a cage mount supportmember to which it is attached. In certain embodiments, cage mountassemblies are regularly spaced across the transverse axis of a cagemount support member. A cage mount assembly may be fastened or mountedto a cage mount support member by any suitable connection or connector,and non-limiting examples include a threaded connector (e.g., screw),pin, an adhesive or by friction. In certain embodiments, two threadforming screws are inserted through each cage mount assembly into a cagemount support member.

A cage mount support member generally can be attached to one or morecage mount assemblies, sometimes about two to about 20 cage mountassemblies (e.g., about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18 or 19 cage mount assemblies. In some embodiments, a cagemount support member has nine cage mount assemblies attached.

A corresponding mount member sometimes is located on one or more outersurfaces of a cage and is adapted to connect with a cage mount assemblylocated on a rack unit. In certain embodiments, a cage mount assemblycomprises a guide rail adapted to receive, sometimes slideably receive,a corresponding flange or groove on or in a cage. In some embodiments, acage mount assembly includes a guide rail positioned on a lower surfaceof the cage mount assembly. A guide rail often includes a stem and afirst cross projection on one side of the guide rail stem and a secondcross projection on the other side of the guide rail stem. The crossprojections sometimes are skewed relative to each other in cross section(i.e., they are offset from one another in cross section) and sometimesthe cross projections are contiguous (i.e., not offset). The crossprojections often extend the length of a guide rail and often aresubstantially perpendicular to the guide rail stem. In certainembodiments, a cage bottom lip on a side of a cage (e.g., a flange)engages the first cross projection of the guide rail of a first cagemount assembly and the cage bottom lip on the other side of the cage(e.g., flange) engages a cross projection of the guide rail of a secondcage mount assembly that is adjacent to the first cage mount assembly,in which embodiments two successive guide rails engage a single cage. Incertain embodiments, a cage hangs from guide rails and is suspendedbelow the cage mount support member. In certain embodiments, a cage isproperly positioned on guide rails when a cage bottom flange issubstantially in contact with and rests upon the cross projections ofthe guide rails of adjacent cage mount assemblies.

Cage mount assemblies often include one or more channels thataccommodate a communication medium. A channel often substantiallyextends the length of the cage mount assembly, and in some embodiments,a channel has an end aperture at the end of the cage mount assembly. Incertain embodiments, a channel contains a communication medium. In someembodiments, a channel contains SATA cable and includes a receptacle tosecure the SATA cable.

A cage mount assembly sometimes includes a removable front module thatattaches to the front end of a cage mount assembly. Generally, the lowerportion of the front module contacts the guide rail of the cage mountassembly and the upper portion contacts the aperture of a channel of thecage mount assembly. In some embodiments, the front module includes abeveled and/or curved lip that aids in engagement of a cage with theguide rail of the cage mount assembly (e.g., the lip can function as alead-in surface for facilitating slideable engagement of a cage with aguide rail). The front module can be a plug or can include a device andelectronic components required for the device. In certain embodiments,the electronic components in the front module connect with acommunication medium in the cage mount assembly. In some embodiments afront module includes a cage reader.

Some embodiments are shown in FIGS. 22-30, 50, 57-58, 60-61, 68-71, 80,83-84, and 86-87. Rodent containment cage rack 500 includes a pluralityof cage mount support members 502 each disposed between and connected toa first side member 504 and a second side member 506, in someembodiments. Support member 502 includes a wall or walls 550 thatcontain a first support member plenum 508 and a second support memberplenum 510 substantially extending the length of the support member 502,in certain embodiments. Support member 502 also includes a first set ofcage connection apertures 512 and a second set of cage connectionapertures 514 in the wall or walls of a lower surface 516 of a supportmember 502, in some embodiments. Each aperture of the first set of cageconnection apertures 512 is in connection with the first support memberplenum 508, and each aperture of the second set of cage connectionapertures 514 is in connection with the second support member plenum510, in certain embodiments. Support member cage connection apertures512, 514 (see FIG. 31) are regularly spaced across the transverse axisof support member 502, in certain embodiments, and in some embodiments,each aperture 512, 514 includes a nozzle 834 in a cage protrusionconnection assembly 800, 800′ (see FIGS. 22-23, 30, 35, 52-54, 59-61,68-69, 73, and 85-87).

Support member 502 also includes a first set of support member endapertures 518 in connection with the first support member plenum 508 anda second set of support member end apertures 520 in connection with thesecond support member plenum 510, where each of the end apertures 518,520 is at the end of each support member 502 that connects to a sidemember 504, 506, in some embodiments.

Each side member 504, 506 includes a wall or walls 551 that contain, afirst side member plenum 522 and a second side member plenum 524substantially extending the length of the side member 504, 506, in someembodiments. Each side member 504, 506 includes a first set of sidemember apertures 526 and a second set of side member apertures 528 inthe wall or walls of the side member 504, 506, in certain embodiments.One or more apertures of the first set of side member apertures 526 arein connection with the first side member plenum 522 and are in effectiveconnection with one or more apertures of the first set of support memberend apertures 518, and one or more apertures of the second set of sidemember apertures 528 are in connection with the second side memberplenum 524 and are in effective connection with one or more apertures ofthe second set of support member end apertures 520, in some embodiments.

Each first support member plenum 508 is in effective connection witheach first side member plenum 522 and each second support member plenum510 is in effective connection with each second side member plenum 524,in certain embodiments.

Communication Medium

A cage rack unit can include one or more communication media for sendinginformation form locations in the rack to information devices. Aninformation device can be any device that obtains, processes, controls,transmits or displays information or any combination thereof.Non-limiting examples of information devices include detectors,controllers, chips and printed circuits. A communication media can beany medium used to connect information devices. Non-limiting examples ofcommunication medium include wires, cables, fiber optic fibers andwireless communications media (e.g., wi-fi, Bluetooth, any suitable802.11 communication standard, the like and combinations thereof).

Referring to FIGS. 22-30, 35-36, 50, 57-58, 68A-D, 72-73, 80, 83-84, and86-87 each support member 502 includes a channel 540 adapted to containcommunication medium 536, in certain embodiments. Support member 502channel 540 is disposed between the first support member plenum 508 andthe second support member plenum 510, in certain embodiments. Each sidemember includes a channel 542 adapted to contain communication medium538, in some embodiments. Side member 504, 506 channels 542 are disposedbetween the first side member plenum 522 and the second side memberplenum 524, in some embodiments. Support members 502 and side members504, 506 each include one or more communication media 536, 538, incertain embodiments. Channels 540, 542 contain communication media 536,538, respectively, in certain embodiments. Each side member 504, 506also includes a plurality of side member communication apertures 543(see FIG. 34), in some embodiments. Support member communication media536 are in effective communication with side member communication media538, in some embodiments. Passage of communication medium 538 from sidemember 504, 506 into support member communication channel 540 throughside member communication apertures 543 allows for effective connectionand/or communication between support member communication medium 536 andside member communication medium 538.

In some embodiments, communication media 536, 538 include 16 inch long(16″) external serial advanced technology attachment (e.g., eSATA)cables, with female receptacles at both ends. Communication media 536,538 also are used to power cage reader electronics in certainembodiments. The circuit board eSATA cable receptacle 912 is powered bythe circuit board hub 900 located at the top of side members 504, 506.The initial communication medium 538 is connected to eSATA cablereceptacle 912 in circuit board hub 900 and is disposed in channel 542of side member 504, 506. The second eSATA receptacle 912 of the initialcommunication medium 538 is secured to the first cage mount assembly 530in the upper most support member 502 directly below rack circuit boardhub 900. Power is distributed across the row via the effectiveconnection of communication media 536, 538 that are disposed in channel540 in support member 502 and secured at cage mount assembly 530. Onereceptacle from two independent communication media 536, 538 are securedin each cage mount assembly 530. Power is distributed throughout cagerack 500 with one receptacle of communication medium 538 secured at theend of one support member 502, disposed in channel 540, 542 in theadjacent side member 504, 506, and the second receptacle of the samecommunication media 536, 538 is secured to cage mount assembly 530 insupport member 502 directly below. Communication media 536, 538 aredistributed throughout cage rack 500 support members 502 and sidemembers 504, 506 in the same fashion until the final receptacle 912 issecured to the final cage guide assembly at the bottom support member502. As noted herein, communication between cage readers 564 and circuitboard hubs 900, rack mounted controller and circuit board hubs 900, andcircuit board hubs and modular blower system also can be accomplishedutilizing wired or wireless communication media or systems, in someembodiments. In cage rack 500 embodiments utilizing wirelesscommunication media, wired communication media 536, 538 is optionallyremoved or not installed during cage rack manufacture.

With reference to FIGS. 22-30, 35, 50, 57-58, 60-61, 68-69, 73, 83-87rodent containment cage rack 500 also includes a plurality of cage mountassemblies 530, 530′ on the bottom surface 516 of each support member502, in certain embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 22-23, 35-36,56-61, 68-69, 73, and 83-87 rodent containment cage rack 500 furtherincludes a plurality of cage mount assemblies 530, 530′ on a bottom orlower surface 516 of each support member 502. Cage mount assemblies 530,530′ further include cage mount guide rail 552, cage mount guide railstem 554, cage mount guide rail cross projections 556, 557, cage mountchannel 558 for communication medium, cage mount assembly upper surface560, cage mount assembly front module 562 (e.g., cage mount front modulecage reader 564, cage mount front module plug 566), cage mount frontmodule beveled lip 568, and/or cage mount front module receptacle 569,in some embodiments. Additionally, cage mount assembly 530′ includescage mount guide rail stop 553. Each cage mount assembly 530, 530′ has achannel 558 adapted to contain communication media 536, 538.Communication media 536, 538 in support member 502 are in communicationwith communication media 536, 538 in cage mount assemblies 530, 530′.

Referring to FIGS. 24-30, 35, and 70-71 rodent containment cage rack 500also includes trolley assembly 570, which trolley assembly furtherincludes trolley frame tube 572, trolley plate mounts 574 and casters(e.g., wheel or wheels in connection with a rotating spindle) 576. Cagerack 500 also includes controller side mount 582 and in some embodimentsalso includes top mounted controller 580. In some embodiments, a cagerack can be a single unit as shown in FIGS. 25 and 27 or two rack unitsas shown in FIGS. 24, 26 and 28.

As depicted in FIGS. 22A-D and 68-A-D, cage 20 may be inserted into cagemount assembly 530, 530′ of cage rack 500 such that the cage guideassembly includes a cage mount guide (e.g., rail stem 554 and crossprojections 556, 557), which a portion of the cage contacts as it isinserted into a rack. In cage mount assembly 530′, a portion of the cagecontacts cage mount guide stop 553, when the cage is fully inserted intothe cage is fully inserted into a rack. FIGS. 61A-B and 87A-B illustratea bottom view of support member 502 including cage mount guideassemblies 530, 530′ in effective contact with support member 502 lowersurface 516, support member communication medium channel 540, cage mountrail guide cross projections 556, 557, cage mount front module 562(e.g., cage mount front module reader 564, cage mount front module plug566) and cage protrusion connection assembly 800, 800′. Reader 564, 564′or module plug 566 are inserted in front module receptacle 569 tofunctionally connect to communication medium 536, 538 (e.g., reader 564)or to close the front of the open cage guide mount assembly 530, 530′.

In some cage rack embodiments without communication medium 536, 538,cage reader plug 566 may be used to cover front module receptacle 569.Cage reader plug 566 is illustrated in FIGS. 56-59, and 63. FIGS. 56 and57 illustrate cage reader plug 566 being inserted into front modulereceptacle 569. FIG. 56 is a partial cutaway profile view, illustratingcage mount assembly 530 in effective connection with the lower surfaceof support member 502. FIG. 57 is an isometric cutaway view of supportmember 502, with an additional cut away view of plenum 508. FIGS. 58 and59 are a perspective partial cutaway view and a profile partial cut awayview of cage 20 engaged with cage mount assembly 520, and alsoillustrates cage reader plug engaged with front module receptacle 569.FIG. 63 is an isometric view of reader plug 566. Cage reader plug 566includes cage mount guide rail stem 554, cage mount guide rail crossprojection 556, 557 and cage mount front module beveled lip 568.

FIGS. 60A-C and 86A-C show a partial cutaway isometric perspective viewof a support member 520 including three adjacent readers 564, 564′,which can report the status of two independent cages 20 engaged in cagemount assemblies via guide rail stem 554 and guide rail crossprojections 556, 557. Shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 86A-Cis cage mount guide rail stop 553, which serves to delimit how far cage20 can be inserted into rack 500. Also shown is communication mediumchannel 540 that contains communication medium 536, 538 in supportmember 502. Cage mount assembly upper surface contains a channel 558(not shown) for passage of communication media 538, 538 to the frontmodule receptacle 559. Passage of the communication media 536, 538through support members 502 and side members 504, 506 is describedherein. FIGS. 60A-C and 86A-C illustrate cage reader 564, 564′ beinginserted into front module receptacle 559.

Cage mount front module cage reader 564, 564′ includes two communicationplugs 559 (see FIGS. 62 and 88), which when in effective connection withcommunication media 536, 538, via insertion into front module receptacle569, forms a continuous communication media throughout cage rack 500.Cage mount front module cage reader 564, 564′ also includes reader lightemitting diodes (e.g., LED's) 565 for indicating cage insertion status.LED's 565 are covered by a substantially sealed translucent cover inreader embodiment 564′.

Modular Blower Systems

Modular blower systems are generally either air supply or air exhaustsystems. In some embodiments, a modular blower system includes two ormore independent assemblies that are stacked or connected in series suchthat air can be moved sequentially from one module to another. In someembodiments, a modular blower system includes three or more independentassemblies (i.e., independent modules) that are stacked or connected inseries such that air can be moved sequentially from one module toanother. The modules and assemblies may be stacked vertically orhorizontally. Sidewalls of two or more or all modules often arecontiguous when the modules of the blower are stacked. Edges of two ormore or all modules often are contiguous when the modules of the blowerare stacked.

In some embodiments, a blower system can include one or more modulesthat each include one or more units of the same type, such as one ormore air intake unit, one or more exhaust units, one or more fan unitsand/or one or more filter units, for example. A module can have anysuitable number of units, and in some embodiments a module can compriseabout 1 to about 20 units in a suitable combination (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 units). Where amodule includes two or more units of a particular unit type (e.g., fanunit), the units of the particular type can be directly connected to oneanother and/or there can be one or more other types of units disposedbetween the units of a particular type. In some embodiments, themultiple units of a particular type can be disposed in parallel orseries in a module. In certain embodiments, a module can include two ormore fan units attached to two or more filter units. In certainembodiments, a module can include two or more fan units in series orparallel (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and/or two or more filterunits in series or parallel (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Incertain embodiments, multiple modules within a blower can include morethan one type of unit. For example, each of two modules can include afan unit and a filter unit and the modules can be assembled in theblower such that the units are in the following order: fan unit—filterunit—fan unit—filter unit.

In some embodiments, a modular blower system includes modules thatinclude an air intake or exhaust unit, a fan unit, a filter unit. Insome embodiments the modular blower includes modules that include a fanunit and a filter unit. An air intake unit generally includes one ormore pre-filters. A pre-filter can be made of any material thatgenerally can capture larger particles in the air, a non-limitingexample is open cell foam. In certain embodiments, a pre-filter is inthe top portion of the air intake unit. In some embodiments, an airintake unit can include any suitable material configured to function asa baffle to reduce sound emitted by the fan unit. A non-limiting exampleof baffle material is ABS plastic.

An air exhaust unit directs air out of a modular blower system. In someembodiments, the air exhaust unit includes an outlet structure in airflow connection with the air exhaust unit through which air can exitsthe air exhaust unit. The outlet structure can be any suitable form fordirecting exhaust air out of the air exhaust unit. The air outletstructure is generally tubular and can have any suitable profile,non-limiting examples of which include rectangular, cylindrical andelliptical. In a certain embodiment the outlet structure is connected tothe sidewall of the air exhaust unit. In certain embodiments, the outletstructure is perpendicular to the sidewall of the unit. In someembodiments, the outlet structure is attached to a vacuum system so thatexhaust air does not enter the immediate surroundings. In certainembodiments, the vacuum system is an HVAC system. In some embodiments,an air exhaust unit can include any suitable material configured tofunction as a baffle to reduce sound emitted by the fan unit.

A fan unit generally includes one or more fans. In certain embodiments,one or more of the fan are counter-rotating. In some embodiments, eachfan delivers air at high pressure throughout the supply plenums in therack system. In certain embodiments, each fan is oriented to blow airinto the system (supply) or each fan is oriented in the oppositeorientation to draw air out of the system (exhaust). In someembodiments, there is a gasket between the bottom of the fan unit andthe unit to which the fan unit is connected, typically the filter unit.

A filter unit generally can include any type of air filter, non-limitingexamples include HEPA filter and charcoal filters. In certainembodiments, the filter is a HEPA filter. In certain embodiments, thefilter includes a HEPA filter and a pre-filter that typically upstreamof the HEPA (exhaust air first contacts the pre-filter and then the HEPAfilter). In some embodiments, the filter unit includes an air channel todirect air flow into a first plenum or second plenum in a side member.In certain embodiments, the filter unit includes a pressure sensor porton the bottom of the unit for functional association with a blowerpressure control board (pcb).

In some embodiments, the filter unit is attached to a blower base. Theblower base generally provides support for the blower modules and housesthe blower pressure control board to which the fan or fans are ineffective communication. Generally, the pressure control board includesa pressure sensor. The pressure sensor typically measures thedifferential pressure between the system downstream of the HEPA filterand the ambient pressure. Ambient pressure is typically measured from aport in the blower base. In some embodiments, the blower base is ineffective and/or physical connection to a blower control circuit board(e.g., blower controller board or blower controller).

In some embodiments a modular blower system is a supply system thatincludes an intake unit, a fan unit and a filter unit. In certainembodiments, ambient air first enters the intake unit and passes througha pre-filter, passes to the fan unit, then through the filter unit andexits the modular blower system. In certain embodiments, air enters thetop of the intake unit in a vertically oriented assembly. In someembodiments, the modular blower system is in connection with a racksystem and air that exits the modular blower system enters a first sidemember plenum or supply plenum. In certain embodiments a modular blowersystem is attached to a rack system on top of a side member. In someembodiments, attachment of a modular blower system to a rack system isby a blower base attached to a supply air connector plate attached tothe rack unit.

In some embodiments a modular blower system is an exhaust system andincludes an exhaust unit, a fan unit and a filter unit. In certainembodiments air first enters a filter unit, passes through a fan unit,then through an air exhaust unit to exit the modular blower system. Incertain embodiments, the filter unit includes a HEPA filter and apre-filter. In some embodiments, a modular blower system is inconnection with a rack system and air enters the modular blower systemfrom a second side member plenum (exhaust plenum) into a filter unit. Incertain embodiments, the modular blower system is attached to a racksystem on top of a side member. In some embodiments, attachment of amodular blower system to a rack system is by a blower base attached toan exhaust air connector plate attached to the rack unit.

In some embodiments, a supply modular blower system and an exhaustmodular blower system are attached to a rack system, the supply modularblower system is attached on the top of a side member and the exhaustmodular blower system is attached on top of the opposite side member.

In some embodiments, a modular blower system can have any number ofadditional modules added, including additional fan units and filterunits. Generally, these modular can be added in any order to an exitingset of modules.

Supply blower systems can be constructed in left and right orientationswhich are essentially mirror images of each other. The air intake unitand fan unit are the same. The filter unit, base and air connector platehave left and right orientations. Exhaust blower systems can beconstructed in left and right orientations which are essentially mirrorimages of each other. The air exhaust unit and fan unit are the same.The filter unit, base and air connector plate have left and rightorientations. In general for a single rack unit that have blower systemsattached, a right orientation supply blower system is placed on one sidemember and a right orientation exhaust blower in placed on the oppositeside member. Typically, for two rack units attached to a trolleyassembly that have blower systems attached, a right orientation supplyblower system is placed on one side member of a first rack unit and aleft orientation supply blower is placed on the adjacent side member ofthe second rack unit. The opposite side members of the two racks have aright orientation exhaust blower placed on the first rack unit and aleft orientation exhaust blower placed on the second rack unit.

In some embodiments modular blowers are connected to a power supply. Incertain embodiments, power is distributed from a power supply to a firstmodular blower unit and from the first modular blower unit to a secondmodular blower unit. The first modular blower unit can be an exhaustunit or a supply unit. In some embodiments, with two rack systems, poweris distributed from a power supply to a first modular blower unit oneach rack system and then from the first modular blower units on eachrack system to a second modular blower on the same rack system. Thefirst modular blower units can be exhaust units or supply units. Incertain embodiments, the first modular blower units are exhaust blowerunits and the second modular blower units are supply blower units.

Each blower unit is of a suitable shape to permit stacking, airflow andfilter functions. Non-limiting examples of blower unit bodies includetubular, structures comprising parallel sides, one or more bevels,tapers and/or flairs. Non-limiting examples of a cross section forblower unit bodies include circular; oval; rectangular; square;rhomboid; variants of rectangular, square and rhomboid geometries havingbevels, curved edges, curved corners, and bevels; the like; andcombinations of the foregoing. Each blower unit is constructed from oneor more suitable materials, non-limiting examples of which includepolymers (e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), high-densitypolyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene teraphthalate(PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylenefluoroethylene (PEFE),polystyrene (PS), high-density polystryrene, acrylnitrile butadienestyrene (ABS) copolymers and the like and applicable recyclable versionsthereof), metals (e.g., steel, aluminum, other metals or alloys), thelike and combinations thereof. Each unit sometimes is connected to anadjacent unit without fasteners (e.g., by a substantially loose fit orfriction fit), by a harness, or by one or more fasteners, in certainembodiments. Non-limiting examples of fasteners include reversible,non-reversible, threaded, non-threaded, deflectable, non-deflecting,interference fit, male and female fasteners, the like and combinationsof the foregoing. Fasteners may be located in or on any suitable surfaceof a blower unit and may be on or in an interior or exterior surface. Ablower assembly may include one or more connectors between one or moresets of adjacent units. A connector in some embodiments can be flexible,semi-flexible, substantially flexible, deformable, semi-deformable,substantially deformable, rigid, substantially rigid or semi-rigid. Aconnector may function as a seal between adjacent units in certainembodiments. A connector sometimes is a sleeve that covers one or moreedges of a unit. In certain embodiments, a connector is a gasket.

In some embodiments, blower units can be detached from a rack unit andre-attached. For example if a rack unit is to be washed or autoclaved,blower units may be detached prior to washing or autoclaving and thenreattached.

Some embodiments are shown in FIGS. 26-30, 37-46, and 74. Modular blowersystem 600, 700 includes independent modules, which modules include airintake unit 602 or air exhaust unit 702, fan unit 604, 704, and filterunit 606, 607, 706, 707, in some embodiments. Supply filter units 606,607 differ in the orientation of air channels 623, 624. Exhaust filterunits 706, 707 differ in the orientation of air channels 723, 724.

In some embodiments, the modules are stacked in series. In certainembodiments, the modules are vertically stacked (see FIGS. 26-30, 37-39and 74), and in some embodiments, the modules are horizontally stacked(not shown). Edges 608 of modular supply blower 600 often are contiguouswhen the units are stacked, in some embodiments, and in certainembodiments supply blower sidewalls 610 often are contiguous when themodular units are stacked. Edges 708 of modular exhaust blower 700 oftenare contiguous when the units are stacked, in some embodiments, and incertain embodiments exhaust blower sidewalls 710 often are contiguouswhen the modular units are stacked.

Modular supply blower 600 includes air intake unit 602, in someembodiments, and in certain embodiments, air intake unit 602 includespre-filter 612 and baffle 603. Air intake unit 602 is connected to fanunit 604 and fan unit 604 is connected filter unit 606, 607, in someembodiments. Filter unit 606, 607 includes high efficiency particulateair (e.g., HEPA) filter 614, in certain embodiments.

Modular exhaust blower 700 includes air exhaust unit 702, in certainembodiments, and in some embodiments air exhaust unit 702 includes airoutlet connector (e.g., air outlet structure) 712 attached to a sidewall710 of blower 700. In certain embodiments, air outlet connector 712 isperpendicular to sidewall 710 of air exhaust unit 702. Air exhaust unit702 is connected to fan unit 704, and fan unit 704 is connected tofilter unit 706, 707, in certain embodiments. Filter unit 706, 707includes HEPA filter 714 and pressure sensor port 616, 716 in someembodiments. In certain embodiments, filter unit 706, 707 includes apre-filter 726 (not shown) upstream of HEPA filter 714.

Modular blower systems 600, 700 include base 620, 621 (supply) and, 720,721 (exhaust). Bases 620, 621, 720, 721 are configured to slidinglyengage filter units 606, 607, 706, 707, respectively and differ fromeach other in placement of air channel opening and placement electronicsfor monitoring pressure, in certain embodiments. In some embodiments,bases 620, 621, 720, 721 also include stacking support protrusion 622,722, which is configured to slidingly engage air connector plate blowersupport boss 590 to attach and secure blower 600, 700 to cage rack 500via air connector plates 584, 586. In certain embodiments bases 720, 721also include stabilizing connectors 727. Stabilizing connectors 727 areconfigured to functionally associate with one or more connectors on rack500 thereby securing and stabilizing blower 700. In certain embodiments,stabilizing connectors 727 include two indents in to which brackets onthe blower stand clip. In some embodiments, stabilizing connectors 727helps reduce or eliminate vibration, and in certain embodiments,stabilizing connectors 727 help reduce or eliminate vibration inconjunction with a gasket intermediary. Without being limited by theory,stabilizing connectors 727 may help reduce or eliminate vibration byminimizing lateral movement during blower operation.

Modular blower units 602, 702, 604, 704, 606, 607, 706, 707 on blower600, 700 are joined using 4 long screws. Screw heads are retained in airintake unit 602 and/or air exhaust unit 702. Screws pass through fanunit 604,704 and are secured into brass threaded inserts in filter unit606, 607, 706, 707 and base 620, 621, 720, 721. Gaskets are utilizedbetween each modular blower unit, which gaskets are compressed when thescrews are tightened to generate an air-tight seal between the assembledunits. Blower base 620, 621, 720, 721 is secured onto the bottom of HEPAfilter unit 614, 714 with 4 screws. Modular blower system 600, 700 isproperly aligned, for mating with cage electronics, on top of cage rack500 using 2 metal air connector plate mounting pins 588, located on thefront of air connector plate 584, 586 and a large plastic boss orprotrusion 590 located on the back of air connector plate 584, 586. Pins588 and boss 590 are included as part of air connector plate 584, 586and air connector plates 584, 586 are mounted to the rack. In someembodiments, modular blower system 700 is properly aligned for matingwith cage electronics, on top of cage rack 500, using two metal airconnector plate mounting pins 588′ (see FIG. 74) located on the front ofair connector plate 584, 586. Mounting pins can be metal or any othersuitable material, in some embodiments. Embodiments comprising metal airconnector plate mounting pins 588′ sometimes do not include a plasticboss or protrusion 590 located on the back of air connector plate 584,586. In some embodiments, pins 588′ are included as part of airconnector plates 584, 586 and air connector plates 584, 586 are mountedto the rack.

Alignment of blower 600, 700 utilizing pins 588′ and/or pins 588 andboss or protrusion 590 enables proper attachment of blower 600, 700 tocage rack 500 air connector plate 584, 586 prior to engagement of theblind mate connector on the blower (not shown) comes into contact withblind mate connector 908 on the rack mounted circuit board hub 900.Proper alignment of blower 600, 700 and air connector plate 584, 586ensures that the connectors are not damaged when engaged.

Pins 588, 588′ also act as a locking feature for blower 600, 700. Whenblower 600, 700 is lowered over pins 588, 588′, the pins deflect a setof spring plungers (e.g., spring loaded connectors) 618, 718 that lockthe blower into place when spring loaded connectors 618, 718 return totheir non-deflected position and engage a notch in pins 588. Springplungers 618, 718 are housed in HEPA filter unit 614, 714. Pins 588′ areconfigured to allow proper orientation by virtue of being non-identical,thus mating can only occur if the pins are aligned with the correctmounting holes of the modular blower system base.

With reference to FIGS. 26-30, and 37, modular blower systems 600, 700are powered by power supply 740. A schematic wiring diagram is shown inFIG. 37. Power supply cables 742 are routed from power supply 740 to thecircuit board hub 900 in effective connection with exhaust blower 700,and from circuit board hub 900 in effective connection with exhaustblower 700 to the circuit board hub 900 in effective connection withsupply blower 600, in some embodiments. FIG. 37 schematicallyillustrates the wiring for a double rack. The wiring for a single rackeliminate cables 742 to the second set of blowers. Each power supplycable includes four 16 gauge (e.g., 16 GA) wires for power and two 22 GAwires for communication. Power supply cables 742 power two blowers atone end of rack 500. These cables are routed from the power supply boxto Deutsch receptacle 906 on rack 500 circuit board hub 900. Power isdistributed from blowers 700 to blowers 600 at the other end of cagerack 500 through a set of two 14 GA wires that are disposed in channel540 of the topmost support member 502. In some embodiments, cables 742are configured for high temperature resistance and/or operation (e.g.,can be autoclaved, can be used at elevated temperatures and the like),and in certain embodiments cables 742 are not configured for hightemperature resistance and/or operation. In some embodiments wherecables are configured to be autoclaved, electronics, wiring orelectronics and wiring are sealed or enclosed to minimize or eliminateexposure to moisture. In certain embodiments, communication channels inside and/or support members are configured to minimize or eliminateexposure of communication media to moisture. In some embodiments, the 22GA communication wires are carried using the same channels are the 14 GAwires.

Air Flow

Generally, air flows throughout the rack system from a supply blowerthrough the first plenums in the side members and the first plenums inthe cage support members, through the orifices of the cage protrusionconnector assemblies connected to the first set of cage connectionapertures and into the orifices of a first set of cage protrusions inthe cage lids and into cages. Generally, air is drawn out of the cagesthrough a second set of cage protrusions in the cage lids, through theorifices of cage protrusion connector assemblies connected to a secondset of cage connection apertures, through the second plenums of the cagesupport members to a second plenum of a side member connected to anexhaust blower and out of the rack. The air generally flows in a circuitfrom the supply portion of a rack through the cages to the exhaustportion of the rack.

In some embodiments, the rack is configured to, when positive airpressure is supplied to the first plenum of a side member, direct airfrom the first plenum of a side member to a first set of side memberapertures of a side member to a set of support member end apertures tothe first support member plenums and through the first set of cageconnection apertures.

In certain embodiments, the rack is configured to, when negative airpressure is supplied to the second plenum of a side member, direct airthrough the second set of cage connection apertures to the secondsupport member plenums to a second set of support member end aperturesto a second set of side member apertures of a side member and to thesecond plenum of a side member.

In some embodiments, a blower is in effective connection with anaperture at the top of the first side member, an aperture at the top ofthe second side member, or apertures at the top of the first side memberand the second side member. Generally, a supply blower is in effectiveconnection with only one of the two plenums in a side member. The plenumin effective connection with the supply blower is typically designatedas a supply plenum. The other plenum on that side member is typicallydesignated as an exhaust plenum. In some embodiments, an exhaust bloweris in effective connection with only one of the two plenums in the otherside member. The plenum in effective connection with the exhaust bloweris typically designated as an exhaust plenum. The other plenum on thatside member is typically designated as a supply plenum. Generally,supply and exhaust plenums are substantially isolated from each othersuch that essentially no air is directly exchanged between the twoplenums. Each supply plenum of the side members generally is ineffective connection with only one set of plenums in the cage supportmembers, also designated as supply plenums. Each exhaust plenum of theside members generally is in effective connection with only one set ofplenums in the cage support members, also designated as the exhaustplenums. In such embodiments, the supply plenums and the exhaust plenumsare in effective fluid or air connection as air passes in and out ofcages. The supply plenum of each cage mount support is in effectivefluid or air connection with a cage through a first cage connectionaperture which is connected to a supply cage protrusion connectorassembly. The exhaust plenum of each cage mount support is in effectivefluid or air connection with a cage through a second cage connectionaperture which is connected to an exhaust cage protrusion connectorassembly.

In some embodiments the pressure across a first support member plenumvaries less than about 5%. Generally, air pressure is measured at thecage protrusion connector assemblies. Without being limited by theory,the configuration of the supply plenums allowing for air flow in sidemember plenums on both sides of the cage support member plenums maycontribute to achieving this uniform pressure.

In some embodiments, air flow in the first support member plenum and thesecond support member plenum is transverse to the air flow across thebottom of one or more cages. Generally air flows through support memberplenums that extend substantially the entire length of the supportmember. Cages are generally inserted in the rack unit such that thelonger length of a cage is substantially perpendicular to the longerlength of the support member to which a cage is mounted. Generally, airenters a cage from a first support member plenum (supply plenum) througha cage connector protrusion assembly that is engaged with a first cageprotrusion in the cage lid (located toward the front of the cage).Supply air generally flows downwards and across the bottom of the cageupwards and out of the cage through a second cage protrusion in the cagelid located toward the rear of the cage. Exhaust air generally flowsthrough the cage connector protrusion assembly that is engaged with asecond cage protrusion in the cage lid into a second support memberplenum (exhaust plenum) and through the second support member plenumalong the length of the support member. Exhaust plenums often extendsubstantially the entire length of the support member.

Some embodiments are shown in FIGS. 26-30, and 37-46. Rodent containmentcage rack 500 sometimes is configured to, when positive air pressure issupplied to the first side member plenum 522 of side member 504 directair from the first side member plenum 522 of side member 504 to thefirst set of side member apertures 526 of a side member 504 to a set ofsupport member end apertures 518 to the first support member plenums 508and through the first set of cage connection apertures 512. Cage rack500 sometimes also is configured to, when negative air pressure issupplied to the second side member plenum 524 of side member 506, directair through a second set of cage connection apertures 514 to secondsupport member plenums 510 to a second set of support member endapertures 520 to a second set of side member apertures 528 of sidemember 506 and to the second side member plenum 524 of side member 506.

Positive air pressure is provided by modular supply blower system 600,which is in effective connection with cage rack 500, in someembodiments. Negative air pressure is provided by modular exhaust blowersystem 700, which is in effective connection with cage rack 500, incertain embodiments. In certain embodiments, rack 500 includes modularsupply blower system 600 and modular exhaust blower system 700. Blower600, 700 is in effective connection to first side member upper aperture532, second side member upper aperture 534, or first side member upperaperture 532 and second side member upper aperture 534.

With reference to FIGS. 22-23, 30, 35, 52-54, and 59-61, rack 500 alsoincludes cage protrusion connection assembly 800, 800′ each assemblyincluding nozzle 834 in effective connection with the cage connectionapertures 512, 514. In some embodiments, cage rack 500 includes cages20. Air enters each cage 20 effectively through an aperture of the firstset of cage connection aperture 512 and exits cage 20 effectivelythrough an aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures 514in certain embodiments. Cages 20 are engaged with cage protrusionconnection assemblies 800, 800′ in effective connection with the firstset of cage connection apertures 512 and the second set of cageconnection apertures 514, in some embodiments. Air flow in the firstsupport member plenum 508 and the second support member plenum 510generally is transverse to the air flow across the bottom of the cages20.

With reference to FIGS. 26, 27, 38, and 48-51 in some embodiments,blower 600 is in effective connection with rack 500 via supply airconnector plate 584. In certain embodiments, blower 700 is in effectiveconnection with rack 500 via exhaust air connector plate 586. Cage rack500 also includes a first air connection plate 584 including an aperture585 in effective connection with an upper end aperture 532 of a firstside member plenum 522 of side member 504 and also includes a second airconnection plate 586 including aperture 587 in effective connection withupper end aperture 534 of a second side member plenum 524 of oppositeside member 506, in some embodiments. Air connector plates 584 and 586also include air connector plate mating pins 588, 588′, and in someembodiments, blower support protrusion 590 and power supply supportrecesses 592. Air connector plate mating pins 588 in conjunction withblower support protrusion 590 secure and support blower 600, 700 on cagerack 500 and also allow for proper alignment of blower 600, 700 withside member upper apertures 532, 534, in some embodiments. In certainembodiments, air connector plate mating pins 588′ secure and supportblowers 600, 700 on cage rack 500 and also allow for proper alignment ofblowers 600, 700 with side member upper apertures 532, 534, in someembodiments. Power supply support recesses 592 secure and support powersupply 740 adjacent to blower 700 (see FIGS. 48-49, and 51) Airconnector plates 584, 586 are permanently secured to rack 500, in someembodiments, and in certain embodiments air connector plates 584, 586are permanently secured to rack 500 via a gasket intermediary.

Cage Connector Assemblies

A cage connection aperture in a cage mount support member often is ineffective connection with a cage connector assembly that facilitatesairflow between a cage and a rack member. In some embodiments, each cageconnection aperture is in effective connection with one cage connectorassembly. A cage connector assembly can be directly connected to a cageconnection aperture, in certain embodiments. A cage connector assemblysometimes is indirectly connected to and associated with a cageconnection aperture, and often is connected to a cage mount supportmember in proximity to a cage connection aperture, in certainembodiments. In some embodiments, a cage includes one or moreprotrusions (e.g., an upward extending protrusion in the lid of a cage),where each protrusion includes an aperture that allows for air flow intothe cage or from the cage. In the latter embodiments, a cage connectorassembly in a rack can be referred to as a “cage protrusion connectorassembly.”

A cage connector assembly can be of any suitable configuration forfacilitating airflow between a rack member and a cage. In someembodiments a cage connector assembly includes a cage connectorcomponent, a nozzle and one or more seals (e.g., gaskets). The cageconnector component in some embodiments includes a body and an orificein the body. A cage connector can be of any suitable geometry forinteraction with a cage member (e.g., a cage protrusion) andnon-limiting examples of a body surface or cross section includecircular; oval; rectangular; square; rhomboid; variants of rectangular,square and rhomboid geometries having bevels, curved edges and/or curvedcorners; the like; and combinations of the foregoing. An orifice can beof any suitable shape, non-limiting examples of which are circular andoval. A circular or substantially circular orifice can be defined by anysuitable radius, which radius often is selected to allow for the cageconnector assembly to interact with a cage member. An orifice can bedefined by a radius that permits insertion of a portion or all of theconical into a cage connector assembly interior. In some embodiments,the radius of a cage connector component orifice is about 0.05 inches toabout 0.70 inches (e.g., about 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.20,0.325, 0.350, 0.375, 0.40, 0.50 or 0.60 inches). A cage protrusion insome embodiments is a conical protrusion comprising an aperture at itsapex, or other protrusion comprising a taper and an aperture.

A cage connector component of a cage connector assembly can bemanufactured from one or more suitable materials. A cage connectorcomponent sometimes is manufactured from one or more polymers (e.g.,described herein), and often is rigid or substantially rigid, therebycontributing to a shell or shell-like structure of the cage connectorcomponent. In some embodiments, the cage connector component ismanufactured from nylon and is about 10% to about 50% glass filled(e.g., about 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% or 45% glass filled). A cageconnector often is manufactured from a material that can withstandwashing and/or autoclave conditions (e.g., repeated exposure to heat,humidity, spraying and/or rinsing).

In certain embodiments, a cage connector assembly includes one or morefasteners extending from a first surface of the body. The one or morefasteners often are configured to engage fastener counterparts of one ormore other assembly components (e.g., gasket or gaskets), and inembodiments that include two or more fasteners, the fasteners sometimesare disposed around the body perimeter and/or around the orifice. Anysuitable fastener can be utilized, non-limiting examples of whichinclude reversible, non-reversible, threaded, non-threaded, deflectable,non-deflecting, male, female, the like and combinations of theforegoing. In some embodiments, a fastener is a barbed fastener thatoptionally can be deflected. A fastener generally is configured tofasten one or more assembly components and sometimes is configured toalso engage a cage connector assembly with cage mount support member.

In certain embodiments, a cage connector includes a member that alignsother components of the cage connector assembly. Any suitable alignmentmember can be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include a tab,pin and rod.

A cage connector component does not directly engage a portion of a cagein some embodiments, and in certain embodiments, a portion of a cageconnector component directly engages a portion of a cage (e.g., when thecage is moved into its destination, or docked position, for use in therack). In some embodiments, a cage connector component is configured toposition a cage in a rack. Such a cage connector component oftenpositions a cage in a rack in concert with other rack members (e.g.,guide rails) and sometimes one or more cage connector components areresponsible primarily for positioning a cage in a rack (e.g., limitingrearward movement of the cage).

A cage connector component sometimes includes a cage engagement memberthat contacts a portion of a cage. A cage engagement member sometimes isreferred to as a “cage protrusion engagement member” where the cageincludes a protrusion that interacts with a cage connector assembly. Acage engagement member often includes a surface, sometimes a projectedsurface, that conforms to and reversibly mates with (e.g., rests againstor contacts) a surface of a cage (e.g., a cage protrusion), and such asurface in a cage connector component sometimes is configured toposition a cage in a rack. The geometry of a cage engagement memberoften is determined by the corresponding geometry of a cage member withwhich the cage engagement member interacts. Non-limiting examples of acage engagement member geometry and/or surface include flat, curved,tapered, flared, frustrum, conical, the like, and combinations andportions thereof. In non-limiting examples, a cage protrusion thatinteracts with a cage connector component is substantially conical, andthe corresponding surface of the cage engagement surface in cageconnector subcomponent (e.g., the projected surface) is curved with asubstantially similar or substantially identical radius and taper as thecorresponding surface of the conical protrusion of the cage with whichit contacts. In some embodiments, a cage engagement member (e.g., aprojected surface) of a cage connector component extends from a secondsurface of the cage connector component opposite the first side of thecomponent, and can extend any suitable maximum length from the surfaceof the second side (e.g., about 0.01 to about 3 inches (e.g., about0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 or 2inches; or about 0.094 or about 0.095 inches)). An interaction with acage member (e.g., cage protrusion) with a surface (e.g., a projectedsurface) of a cage connector assembly is described in greater detailhereafter.

A cage connector assembly generally comprises a connector gasket (e.g.,cage protrusion connector gasket) in some embodiments. A connectorgasket generally is configured to sealing connect with a cage connectorcomponent and can be of any suitable geometry, non-limiting examples ofwhich include circular; oval; rectangular; square; rhomboid; variants ofrectangular, square and rhomboid geometries having bevels, curved edgesand/or curved corners; the like; and combinations of the foregoing. Insome embodiments, the term “sealing connection” as used herein refers toan air-tight seal or substantially air-tight seal between twostructures.

A connector gasket can be manufactured from a suitable material, whichmaterial often is flexible, semi-flexible, substantially flexible,deformable, semi-deformable and/or substantially deformable.Non-limiting examples of one or more materials that can be included in aconnector gasket include plastics, thermoplastics, elastomers,thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV;SANTOPRENE TPV), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic olefins(TPO), polysulfide rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (e.g., EPM, acopolymer of ethylene and propylene), ethylene propylene diene rubber(e.g., EPDM, a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component),epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR), siliconerubber (SI, Q, VMQ), fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ), fluoroelastomers(e.g., FKM, and FEPM, VITON, TECNOFLON, FLUOREL, AFLAS and DAI-EL),perfluoroelastomers (e.g., FFKM, TECNOFLON PFR, KALREZ, CHEMRAZ,PERLAST), polyether block amides (PEBA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene(CSM, e.g., HYPALON), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), syntheticpolyisoprene (IR), butyl rubber (copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene,IIR), halogenated butyl rubbers (chloro butyl rubber: CIIR; bromo butylrubber: BIIR), polybutadiene (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (copolymerof polystyrene and polybutadiene, SBR), nitrile rubber (copolymer ofpolybutadiene and acrylonitrile, NBR; Buna N rubbers), hydrogenatednitrile rubbers (HNBR, THERBAN and ZETPOL), chloroprene rubber (CR,polychloroprene, NEOPRENE, BAYPREN) and the like. Non-limiting examplesof TPEs include styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends,elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplasticcopolyester and thermoplastic polyamides. Examples of TPE products fromthe block copolymers group are STYROFLEX (BASF), KRATON (ShellChemicals), PELLETHANE (Dow chemical), PEBAX, ARNITEL (DSM), HYTREL (DuPont) and more. Non-limiting examples of commercially availableelastomeric alloys include SANTOPRENE (in-situ cross linkedpolypropylene and EPDM rubber; Monsanto), GEOLAST (Monsanto) and ALCRYN(Du Pont). A connector gasket often is manufactured from a material thatthat can withstand washing and/or autoclave conditions (e.g., repeatedexposure to heat, humidity, spraying and/or rinsing).

A connector gasket is of a suitable thickness to permit sealingengagement of a cage member (e.g., cage protrusion) to a cage connectorassembly. A connector gasket can have a nominal, average, mean, maximumor minimum thickness of about 0.01 inches to 1.0 inch (e.g., about 0.02,00.3, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6,0.7, 0.8, 0.9 inches thick). In some embodiments, the connector gaskethas a minimum thickness of about 0.02 inches to about 0.07 inches (e.g.,about 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 or 0.06 inches; or about 0.047 inches) and amaximum thickness of about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches (e.g., 0.11, 0.12,0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18 or 0.19 inches; or about 0.156inches). A connector gasket generally includes an orifice that often isconcentric with the orifice in a cage connector component. The orificein a connector gasket can be of any suitable shape, non-limitingexamples of which are circular and oval. A circular or substantiallycircular orifice can be defined by any suitable radius, which radiusoften is selected to allow for the connector gasket to sealing engagewith a cage member. In embodiments where the cage member is a conicalprotrusion, for example, an orifice in the connector gasket can bedefined by a radius that permits insertion of a portion or all of theconical protrusion into a cage connector assembly interior, and allowsfor sealing connection of the connector gasket to the conicalprotrusion. In some embodiments, the radius of the gasket orifice isabout 0.20 to about 0.25 inches (e.g., about 0.21, 0.22, 0.23 or 0.24inches; or about 0.227 inches). A connector gasket may include anannular flange disposed around the gasket orifice configured to permitsealing attachment of the gasket to a cage member (e.g., cageprojection). An annular flange can have a shape and surface that permitssealing attachment of the gasket to a cage member, non-limiting examplesof which surface include flat, curved, tapered, flared, frustrum,conical, the like, and combinations and portions thereof. A connectorgasket orifice may include, in some embodiments, an annular beveldisposed around the orifice.

A connector gasket may include an alignment feature that permitsalignment of the gasket with the cage connector component (e.g., a boreconfigured to receive a pin in the cage connector component). Aconnector gasket, in some embodiments, may include one or more fastenersadapted to fasten to one or more fasteners in the cage connectorcomponent (non-limiting examples of fasteners are described above withrespect to the cage connector component). In some embodiments, afastener in a connector gasket is one or more slots or channels disposednear or around the gasket orifice configured to receive a fastener in acage connector component of the assembly. In certain embodiments, aconnector gasket includes one or more alignment features for a nozzlecomponent of a cage connector assembly, non-limiting examples of whichinclude grooves, apertures, pins, tabs, the like and combinationsthereof.

A connector gasket is in sealing connection with a nozzle component of acage connection assembly, in some embodiments. A nozzle is of any shapesuitable to permit airflow from a rack to a cage and/or from a cage to arack, and non-limiting examples of the shape of a nozzle body includesubstantially cylindrical structures or other structures having acircular, oval, rectangular, square or rhomboid cross-section, and awall or walls that are parallel, tapered or flared and optionallyinclude a bevel, curved edge, taper, flair, and the like, for example. Anozzle generally includes one or more orifices through which air mayflow from a cage to a rack or from a rack to a cage. A nozzle caninclude any suitable number of orifices (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 or more orifices).In embodiments where a nozzle includes one orifice, the orifice often isconcentric with the orifice of a connection gasket and cage connectorcomponent of the assembly. Where a nozzle includes two or more orifices,the orifices may be arranged in any suitable configuration to permitairflow between a cage and a rack. In certain embodiments, two or moreorifices are arranged regularly on a nozzle surface (e.g., the midpointsof the orifices are substantially equidistant from one another);sometimes are arranged regularly around a center-point of a nozzlesurface (e.g., the distance between each orifice midpoint to the nozzlesurface center-point is substantially the same for two or more or all ofthe orifices in the nozzle), and/or sometimes are arranged regularlyaround the perimeter of a nozzle surface.

A nozzle orifice may include an annular flange disposed around theorifice, which flange often extends towards the connector gasket and thecage connector component. A nozzle orifice may be in association with abushing in some embodiments. A bushing may be manufactured from anysuitable material, non-limiting examples of which include a metal (e.g.,brass) or polymer or the like and combinations of the foregoing. Abushing may be flush-mounted with a nozzle in some embodiments, and incertain embodiments, a nozzle may be cast with an integrated bushing(e.g., polymer of the nozzle may cover the bushing). The effectiveradius of a nozzle orifice (e.g., with or without a bushing) is selectedto permit suitable airflow and/or air pressure from a rack to a cage orfrom a cage to a rack. In some embodiments, the radius of a nozzle isabout 0.005 to about 0.50 inches (e.g., about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04,0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 or 0.4; about 0.344 inches)and the radius of a bushing orifice sometimes is about 0.005 inches toabout 0.1 inches (e.g., about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07,0.08, 0.09; or about 0.079 inches).

A nozzle may include an annular beveled surface, or an annular curvedsurface defined by a radius, in conjunction with a top and/or bottomsurface of the nozzle. In some embodiments, the edge of the beveledsurface or curved surface may be interrupted by a cylindrical protrusionthat substantially defines a portion or all of an orifice perimeter(e.g., where an orifice is disposed towards the outer perimeter of anozzle surface). A cylindrical protrusion in some embodiments issubstantially circular in cross section, the cross section sometimes iscircular or oval, and the sides of a cylindrical protrusion sometimesare substantially parallel or include or consist of a bevel, flair ortaper. In the latter embodiments, the cylindrical protrusion can includean edge and the edge can meet another edge of the bevel at a corner onthe exterior of the nozzle. The cylindrical protrusion also may projectfrom an interior surface of the nozzle in some embodiments, and such acylindrical protrusion may comprise a rib that projects from all or aportion of the cylindrical protrusion.

An orifice perimeter may be in proximity to a rib that projects from (i)a nozzle surface or surfaces pierced by the orifice, (ii) a cylindricalprotrusion, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), in some embodiments.A rib may be of any size and geometry that causes disruption in flow atthe nozzle surface from which the rib extends, in some embodiments. Arib may be of any suitable profile (e.g., edge), and the profilesometimes is linear, curved, zigzag, S-shaped, J-shaped or T-shaped. Arib profile (e.g., edge) sometimes is semi-circular and the radius ofthe inner wall of the rib facing an orifice sometimes is substantiallythe same as the radius of the orifice (e.g., the inner wall of the ribis substantially coextensive with the orifice perimeter), and sometimesthe radius of the inner wall of the rib facing an orifice is larger thanthe radius of the orifice (e.g., the inner wall of the rib is offsetfrom the orifice perimeter). Whether or not the rib is substantiallycoextensive with or offset from the orifice perimeter, a rib cancircumscribe about 10% to about 100% of the orifice perimeter (e.g.,about 20%, 30%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the orificeperimeter) in some embodiments. A rib can project from a nozzle surfaceor projected cylinder junction any suitable distance, which distance maybe uniform or varied (e.g., stepped or gradual increases or decreases inrib height). A rib can project from a nozzle surface and/or from aprojected cylinder junction a maximum distance of about 0.005 inches toabout 0.5 inches (e.g., a maximum rib height of about 0.006, 0.007,0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1,0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.40 or 0.45 inches) in some embodiments. Inembodiments where a nozzle includes a rib that projects from each or twonozzle surfaces or projected cylinder junction (e.g., on a nozzleexterior and on a nozzle interior) the ribs can project from a nozzlesurface and/or from a projected cylinder junction the same or differentmaximum distance.

A nozzle can be manufactured from any suitable material, non-limitingexamples of which include rigid and substantially rigid polymers (e.g.,nylon) that optionally may be impregnated, mixed or coated with anothermaterial (e.g., about 10% to about 50% glass filled nylon). A nozzle mayinclude one or more alignment features that facilitate alignment with aconnector gasket, as described above (e.g., tabs or other alignmentfeatures).

A cage connector assembly also may include a mount seal or mount gasket(also referred to herein as a “nozzle gasket”) that permits sealingconnection of the cage connector assembly to a cage mount supportmember. A mount gasket can be of a suitable geometry to permit such asealing connection, non-limiting examples of which include circular;oval; rectangular; square; rhomboid; variants of rectangular, square andrhomboid geometries having bevels, curved edges and/or curved corners;the like; and combinations of the foregoing. A mount gasket is of asuitable thickness to permit sealing engagement of a cage connectorassembly to a cage mount support member. A connector gasket can have anominal, average, mean, maximum or minimum thickness of about 0.01inches to 0.1 inch (e.g., about 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07,0.08, 0.09 inches thick). In some embodiments the maximum thickness ofthe connector gasket is about 0.063 inches. A mount gasket ismanufactured from a suitable material, examples of which are providedabove with respect to the connector gasket. A mount gasket may includean alignment feature that permits alignment of the gasket with the cageconnector component (e.g., a bore configured to receive a pin in thecage connector component). A mount gasket generally includes an orificethat often is concentric with the orifice in a cage connector component,connector gasket and/or nozzle. The orifice in a mount gasket can be ofany suitable shape, non-limiting examples of which are circular andoval. In some embodiments, the radius of the mount gasket orifice isabout 0.1 inches to about 1.0 inches (e.g., about 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9 inches). The inner surface of the orifice of themount gasket often is in contact (e.g., sealing contact) with a surfaceof the nozzle in the cage connector assembly.

When the mount gasket is positioned in a cage connection assembly, theperimeter of the orifice in the mount gasket may be juxtaposed with oneor more fasteners of the cage connector component in an orientation thatpermits the one or more fasteners to position and/ore secure the mountgasket in the assembly. In certain embodiments, the one or morefasteners of the cage connector component extend beyond the proximalsurface of the mount gasket such that the same one or more fasteners canfacilitate connection of the cage connector assembly to a cage mountsupport member (e.g., connected via machined slots or holes in the cagemount support member). In certain embodiments, one or more fastenersother than the one or more fasteners of the cage connector component canbe utilized to mount the cage connector assembly to a cage mount supportmember. A cage connector assembly may be mounted to a wall surface of acage mount support member, in some embodiments, and in certainembodiments, a cage connector assembly may be mounted within a wallrecess or boss in a cage mount support member. When mounted to a cagemount support member, the orifice of a nozzle (e.g., effective orifice(e.g., bushing orifice) can be in effective connection with (e.g., inproximity to; in air communication with), or in direct connection with,a cage connector aperture in the cage mount support. A rack may includeone, two, three, four or more cage connector assemblies for each cagedocking site in the rack (i.e., one cage can connect to the rack at eachcage docking site).

A cage connector assembly often is configured to (i) in part facilitateengagement of a cage to a rack, (ii) in part position a cage in a rack,and (iii) facilitate airflow into a cage from a rack or from a cage to arack. In certain embodiments, a rail guide lead-in member is engaged bya cage flange by a user and the cage is translated by the user towardsthe rear of a rack on rail surfaces. During this translation, a sidesurface of a cage protrusion projecting from the top of the cage canengage a lead-in surface of a cage protrusion connector component in acage protrusion connector assembly. Continued translation of the cagetowards the rear of the rack often causes the cage protrusion totranslate downward (e.g., deflect downward) and the lid of the cage toflex. Further translation of the cage towards the rear of the rackcauses a top terminus of the cage protrusion side surface to move pastthe orifice edge of the cage protrusion connector component and the cageprotrusion can translate upwards. In some embodiments, the cageprotrusion springs upwards and the cage lid flexes. Engagement of thecage protrusion often results in a portion of the cage protrusion beinginserted within the interior of the cage protrusion connector assembly.In some embodiments, a portion of a cage protrusion connector gasket isin sealing connection with a portion of a cage protrusion side surfaceafter the cage protrusion translates upwards and a portion of it iswithin the interior of the cage protrusion connector assembly.

Contact of the cage protrusion connector gasket with a portion of thecage protrusion may be sufficient to position the cage in the rack andfacilitate airflow between the rack and the cage. In some embodiments, amember of the cage protrusion connector assembly includes a surface thatcontacts a portion of a cage protrusion surface and interferes withfurther translation of the cage towards the rear of the rack. In certainembodiments, a cage protrusion connector component includes a projectedsurface that rests against a portion of a cage protrusion surface andfunctions as a positive stop by interfering with further translation ofthe cage towards the rear of the rack. In some embodiments, such apositive stop in the cage protrusion connector assembly functions as thesole stop that interferes with further translation of the cage towardsthe rear of the rack (e.g., there are no stops in a cage guide rail on arack that interferes with rearward translation of a cage. Some or all ofthe cage connector assemblies in a rack comprise a positive stop, incertain embodiments.

After a cage projection has been engaged in its destination, or dockedposition, for use in a rack, the cage may be disengaged by reversing theengagement process described above. A cage can be engaged into, anddisengaged from, its destination for use in a rack multiple times.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 22-23, 30, 35, 52-56, and 59-61.rodent containment cage rack 500 includes a first set of cage connectionapertures 512 and a second set of cage connection apertures 514, each ofwhich is in effective connection with cage protrusion connectorassemblies 800, 800′, in some embodiments. Cage protrusion connectorassembly 800, 800′ includes a cage protrusion connector including a body802, 802′, an orifice 804, 804′ in body 802, 802′, one or more fasteners808, 808′ on a first side 806, 806′ of body 802, 802′ and a projectedsurface 812, 812′ disposed around a portion of orifice 804, 804′ on asecond side 810, 810′ of body 802, 802′, in certain embodiments. In someembodiments, one, two or more fasteners 808, 808′ are disposed aroundorifice 804, 804′. Projected surface 812, 812′ is configured to contacta portion of cage protrusion 860, 860′, in certain embodiments.Projected surface 812, 812′ also is configured to position cage 20 inrail guide 552, in some embodiments. Pin 814, 814′ extends from thefirst side 806, 806′ of body 802, 802′, in certain embodiments.

Cage protrusion connector assembly 800, 800′ includes protrusionconnector gasket 816, 816′ in sealing connection with body 802, 802′ ofprotrusion connector assembly 800, 800′, in some embodiments. Protrusionconnector gasket 816, 816′ includes a protrusion connector gasketorifice 818, 818′ concentric with orifice 804, 804′ in the protrusionconnector 800, 800′, an annular flange 820, 820′ around the protrusionconnector gasket orifice 818, 818′ on a first surface of the protrusionconnector gasket 822, 822′, one or more grooves 826, 826′ on a secondsurface 824, 824′ of the protrusion connector gasket 816, 816′, and oneor more channels 828, 828′ configured to receive the one or morefasteners 808, 808′ of protrusion connector assembly 800, 800′, incertain embodiments. In some embodiments, protrusion connector gasket816, 816′ includes bore 830, 830′ configured to receive pin 814, 814′.Annular flange 820, 820′ includes surface 832, 832′ configured tosealingly engage with a surface 864, 864′ of cage protrusion 860, 860′,in certain embodiments.

Cage protrusion 860, 860′ extends from the lid of cage 20, in someembodiments. Cage protrusion connector assembly 800, 800′ includesnozzle 834, 834′ in sealing connection with protrusion connector gasket818, 818′, in certain embodiments. Nozzle 834 includes nozzle orifice836 concentric with orifice 818 in protrusion connector gasket 816 andone or more tabs 838 configured to rest in the one or more grooves 826of protrusion connector gasket 816, in some embodiments. Nozzle 834 alsoincludes curved or radiused edge 843 in certain embodiments. Nozzle 834includes nozzle annular flange 840 disposed around the nozzle orifice836 on a first side 842 of nozzle 834 opposite to the first side 806 ofthe protrusion connector body 802, in certain embodiments. Nozzle 834includes bushing 844 disposed around nozzle orifice 836 on a second side846 of nozzle 834 opposing the first side 842 of nozzle 834, in someembodiments. The underside of single orifice nozzle 834 is illustratedin FIG. 64A.

Nozzle 834′ includes two or more nozzle orifices 837 concentric withcylindrical protrusions 841 a. Each cylindrical protrusion 841 aincludes cylindrical protrusion edge 841 b and corner 841 c formed atthe junction of cylindrical protrusion edge 841 b and curved or radiusededge 843. Body orifice 818′ in protrusion connector gasket 816′ and oneor more tabs 838′ are configured to rest in the one or more grooves 826′of protrusion connector gasket 816′, in some embodiments. Nozzle 834′also includes beveled or curved surface 849 in certain embodiments.Nozzle 834′ includes nozzle annular flange 840′ disposed around thenozzle orifice 837 on a first side 842′ of nozzle 834′ opposite to thefirst side 806′ of the protrusion connector body 802′, in certainembodiments. Nozzle 834′ includes one or more bushings 845 disposedaround the one or more nozzle orifices 837 on a second side 847 ofnozzle 834′ opposing the first side 842′ of nozzle 834′, in someembodiments. In some embodiments including two or more nozzle orifices837, nozzle 834′ includes cylindrical projection or protrusion 841 athat substantially defines a portion or all of an orifice perimeter.Nozzle 834′ also includes nozzle rib 839 projecting from nozzle surface847 or cylindrical projection 841 a in proximity to orifice 837, incertain embodiments. In some embodiments, rib 839 has a semi-circularprofile. In certain embodiments, an edge 841 b of rib 839 is coextensivewith a portion of orifice 837 perimeter. In some embodiments, rib 839circumscribes a portion of an orifice perimeter. The underside of dualorifice nozzle 834′ is illustrated in FIG. 64B.

Cage protrusion connector assembly 800, 800′ includes nozzle gasket 848,848′ in sealing connection with nozzle 834, 834′, in certainembodiments, and in some embodiments, nozzle gasket 848, 848′ includebore 850, 850′ configured to receive pin 814, 814′. In some embodiments,protrusion connection gasket 818 include optional annular bevel 852,852′.

Cage protrusion connector assembly 800, 800′ is connected to a lowersurface 516 of support member 502 in effective connection with each ofthe cage connection apertures 512, 514, in certain embodiments. One ormore fasteners 808, 808′ on the first side 806, 806′ of cage protrusionconnector body 802, 802′ are fastened to fasteners on the wall or in thewall of support member 502, in some embodiments.

Controller Boards

Cage rack controller boards generally provide information for powerdistribution, air flow and/or cage configuration, provide a conduit forcommunication between various cage rack components, and in someembodiments provide a user interface for entry of information pertinentto operation of the cage rack in a given configuration. In someembodiments a cage rack can include any suitable number of controllerboards and/or circuit board hubs, and in certain embodiments a cage rackincludes a master rack controller functionally associated any number ofcontroller boards and/or circuit boards or circuit board hubs in asuitable combination (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more circuitboard hubs and/or controller boards, including a master controller).Cage racks described herein often have 1 blower controller board foreach modular blower system in effective communication with a cage rack.Cage racks described herein generally include up to 1 rack mountedcircuit board hub for each modular blower system in effective connectionwith the cage rack. Cage racks described herein typically include a rackcontroller (e.g., hand held controller, rack mounted controller, mastercontroller, user control interface), which is operably connected to theblower control boards and circuit board hubs, and functions to (i) sendand/or receive data, fan curves, user input information, (ii) interpretdata received from other control/circuit boards and/or user input, and(iii) store information about rack configuration, ambient pressure andthe like, (iv) the like and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, acage rack has a rack mounted circuit board hub in functional associationwith each air connector plate. In certain embodiments, a cage rack has ablower control board in functional association with each modular blowersystem. In some embodiments, the blower control boards are functionallyand/or physically associated with a circuit board hub.

In certain embodiments cage rack controller boards include independentcircuit boards with one or more functions, and in some embodiments cagerack controller boards include a master controller board which controlsthe functions of other functionally associated circuit boards. Incertain embodiments a circuit board includes a circuit board hub, forfunctional association with one or more other controller boards or amaster rack controller. In certain embodiments a rack controller isfunctionally associated with one or more blower controllers, one or morecircuit board hubs, or one or more blower controllers and one or morecircuit board hubs. Communication between the various control boards isby wired communication media, in some embodiments, and in certainembodiments communication between one or more boards is by wirelesscommunications (e.g., Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and the like).

Circuit Board Hub

A circuit board hub can generally include one or more receivers orconnections for electrical power and one or more communication media andidentifiers. Identifiers can encode any information related to a rackand cages. In a certain embodiments, an identifier encodes informationrelated to the configuration of the cages in a rack, and/or the numberof racks on a trolley (e.g., single cage rack embodiment, dual cage rackembodiment). Such information can be communicated to a fan unit suchthat it adjusts accordingly. In some embodiments, a circuit board hub isin effective connection to a rack unit. In certain embodiments thecircuit board hub includes an identifier for the configuration of thecages in a rack and/or the number of racks on a trolley, a receiver forelectrical power, a receiver for communication medium and a connectorfor a control.

With reference to FIGS. 24-27, 36-37, 47, 50-51, 56-57, 60, 70-71, 77,and 80-81 circuit board hub 900, 900′ attached to rodent containmentcage 500 includes an identifier for the cage configuration of cages 20in rack 500, in some embodiments. In certain embodiments the identifierincludes circuit board 902. Circuit board hub 900 also includes areceiver for wiring from the rack, a connector for a control unit and areceiver for electrical power. In some embodiments, the receiver forwiring from the rack includes communication medium receptacle 912, andin certain embodiments, communication medium receptacle 912 is an eSATAreceptacle. In embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 70-71 and 77, an eSATAcommunication medium receptacle is present but not visible in the viewsFIGS. 70-71 and 77. In some embodiments, a connector for a control unitincludes controller port 910, and in certain embodiments, controllerport 910 is a category 5 twisted pair high signal integrity (e.g., CAT5or CAT-5) cable receiver or port. In some embodiments, a receiver forelectrical power includes a Deutsch receptacle 906. In certainembodiments (e.g., embodiments illustrated as 900′) a Deutsch receptacle906 is not included. Circuit board hub 900 also includes bores 904 formounting to air connector plate 584, 586, and blind mate connector 908.

Circuit board hub 900, 900′ functions to (i) distribute power from powersupply 740, via power supply wires 742 and (ii) distribute signal andinformation from various sensors or control boards (e.g., blower controlboards 920, other circuit board hubs 900, 900′, master controller board930, and combinations of the foregoing). Information is distributedbetween various controller boards using communications recommendedstandard 485 (e.g., RS-485) bridge. Circuit board hub 900, 900′ alsoincludes a 12 volt (12V) power input and 3.3V buck mode switching powersupply (not shown) to supply power to cage mount front module readers564, as well as a 3.3V logic level serial bus (TTL) interface forcommunication with cage mount front module readers 564.

Blower Control Board

A blower control board can generally include one or more receivers orconnections for electrical power and one or more communication media andidentifiers. Identifiers can encode any information related to a rackand cages. In a certain embodiments, an identifier encodes informationrelated to the configuration of the cages in a rack, the number of rackson a trolley (e.g., single cage rack embodiment, dual cage rackembodiment), and/or the number of blowers in effective connection withthe rack. Such information can be communicated to a fan unit such thatit adjusts accordingly. In some embodiments, a blower control board isin effective connection to a modular blower system which in turn is ineffective connection with a rack unit.

With reference to FIGS. 45, 46, and 74-76 blower control board 920includes connector 922, which functions to functionally and physicallyconnect blower control board 920 and circuit board hub 900, 900′. Blowercontrol board 920 also includes a connector (not shown) whichfunctionally and operationally connects pressure sensor ports 616, 716(see FIGS. 43 and 44) to blower control board 920 in modular blowersystem 600, 700 base 620, 621, 720, 721. Blower control board 920functions to control the flow of air into and out of cage rack 500 bymonitoring differential pressure developed by fan units 604, 704 ofmodular blower system supply blower 600 and exhaust blower 700. Fan 604,704 (see FIG. 42) speed is regulated via proportional/integral servosoftware algorithms by matching fan speed to a differential pressure setpoint. In some embodiments fan speed curves are stored in blower controlboard 920, and in certain embodiments fan speed curves are stored inrack controller 930.

Blower control board 920 includes a 12V power input and an RS-485communication bridge to allow communication via an American standardcode for information interchange (e.g., ASCII) Modbus. ASCII modbus is aserial communications protocol often utilized to enable communicationsbetween electrical components in the same network. Blower control board920 also determines functional status of fans 604, 704 by monitoring fantachometers to sense a locked fan rotor. Identification of a locked fanrotor initiates a shutdown of the inoperative fan and/or entire modularblower system if the blower in question has only 1 fan, and alsocommunicates an error message to rack control board 930.

Rack Controller Board

A rack controller board can generally include one or more receivers orconnections for electrical power and one or more communication media andidentifiers. Identifiers can encode any information related to a rackand cages. In a certain embodiments, an identifier encodes informationrelated to the configuration of the cages in a rack, the number of rackson a trolley (e.g., single cage rack embodiment, dual cage rackembodiment), and/or the number of blowers in effective connection withthe rack. Such information can be communicated to a fan unit such thatit adjusts accordingly. In some embodiments, a rack controller board isin effective connection to a (i) on or more circuit board hubs, (ii) oneor more modular blower systems which in turn are in effective connectionwith a rack unit (iii) one or more cage mount front module readers, and(iv) a power supply.

With reference to FIGS. 26-30, rack controller 930 functions are themaster controller for all systems included in cage rack 500 (e.g., cageID readers, modular blower systems, power distribution, communications,the like and combinations thereof). Rack controller 930 includes a 12Vpower input for supplying power to the graphical user interface utilizedby a user to monitor rack status and/or input information. Rackcontroller 930 also includes wired and wireless communicationscapability (e.g., RS-485, Wi-fi, respectively) and a USB host port.

Rack controller 930 functions to calculate the appropriate differentialpressure to each blower control board from user flow and differentialflow set points. Rack controller 930 can store user input information insome embodiments, and in certain embodiments also logs variousoperational parameters of cage rack 500 including, but not limited toactual air flow, pressure values, error alarms or messages. Rackcontroller 930 can use information obtained from various identifiers forcalculations used in rack operation. In some embodiments, an identifiermay monitor cage conditions such as air pressure in a cage rack. Incertain embodiments, an identifier may be determined using data fromother identifiers, and in some embodiments, an identifier may be used toinitiate changes to cage conditions based on data obtained or determinedfrom other identifiers (e.g., change fan speed based on differential airpressure measurements).

Sensors

Sensors may be included of any variety of configurations or types thatmay be used to monitor conditions within each individual cage supportedby the rack system. Some of the cages status parameters that may bemonitored within each cage interior by remote sensors or other means mayinclude the presence or level of viruses or bacteria, heat, noise,ammonia levels, carbon dioxide levels, carbon monoxide levels, humiditylevels, air pressure levels, and the like. Sensors may monitor visualmovement, olfactory changes, tactile changes, as well as auditorylevels. Other parameters that may be monitored may include total animalweight within each cage, animal physical activity and/or body heatwithin each cage or other animal behavior or dynamics within each cage.Thus sensors may be in the form of a video camera, heat sensor, weighingapparatus and the like. For some embodiments, sensors that determine oneor more of the above parameters may be disposed within each cage butalso may be disposed within a conduit of the shelf assembly or plenumadjacent the shelf assembly. In certain embodiments, a rack includes anairflow or air pressure sensor. The sensor sometimes may be inconnection with one or more tubes, conduits and/or metering nozzles. Anydesired sensor or sensors may be disposed within the supply and exhaustpassageways of the plenum, within the conduits an of the shelf assembly,within an interior volume of the cage assembly or at any other suitableposition within the rack assembly.

Each sensor also may be operatively coupled to the controller in orderto communicate the sensor's reading to the controller such that thesensor's data may then be processed and displayed on the graphic userinterface. The information received from sensors and the informationreceived from identifiers may be used together by the controller inorder to locate cages or produce reports/status and the like tomaintenance personnel.

An example of a sensor may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 21. FIG. 8 shows aperspective view of an embodiment of a cage 20 assembly suitable for usewith the modular rack system 210. The sensor 140 is a remote sensorwhich monitors the cage interior. FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of theshelf 300 assembly of FIG. 6. Sensors 340 are disposed within the supplyand exhaust passageways of the rack assembly and monitor airflow. Thesesensors may be directly coupled to the controller. FIG. 21 also showsthe rim or lip portion 308 which extends around the perimeter of theshelf 300. The reader shelf mount 408 is fastened onto the rim 308. Alsoshown is the frame member 278 of the shelf 300 with a rail 276. In someembodiments, sensors can be disposed within the supply and exhaustpassageways of rack embodiment 500 (e.g., within support member plenums508, 510, side member plenums 522, 524 or support member plenums andside member plenums).

Some of the cage status parameters that may be monitored within eachcage interior by remote sensors or other means may include the presenceor level of viruses or bacteria, ammonia levels, carbon dioxide levels,carbon monoxide levels, humidity levels, air pressure levels, and thelike. Cage content identifier data also aids in monitoring caged animalsas well as the cage environment. Other parameters that may be monitoredby sensors and/or identifiers may include total animal weight withineach cage, animal physical activity within each cage or other animalbehavior or dynamics within each cage.

Processors, Controllers and Servers

An animal containment system can include one or more processors,controllers and servers (e.g., main, local or remote server) in aconvenient and suitable combination and configuration to carry outfunctions described herein. Systems described herein can allow for labpersonnel to have the ability to reliably and conveniently monitor theinterior conditions of each individual cage supported by a rack systemwith cage status information being conveniently and efficientlydisplayed.

In some embodiments, the rack system includes a controller and/ormain/local server that may be coupled with, or be in wirelesscommunication with, a blower assembly, one or more sensors, one or morereaders and one or more indicators which are in association withidentifiers in order to manage, maintain, track, and monitor a pluralityof cages within the system. Identifiers provide data regarding thecontents of the cage, data regarding the animals, inventory of non-cageitems used for maintenance, cage components, users and/or maintenancepersonnel, location of the cages and the like. Sensors can include anyof a variety of configurations or types that may be used to monitorconditions within each individual cage supported by the rack system(e.g., described in section herein entitled “Sensors”). The dataobtained by the controller from the identifiers, sensors and/or othersources may be processed by a computing system disposed within thecontroller or any other suitable location in the system that may includea processor and data storage device and then displayed to a user. Adisplay can be by an indicator (e.g., described herein) and/or on agraphic user interface in a convenient visual display format.

For some embodiments, a graphic user interface may contemporaneouslydisplay an icon or the like for each containment cage supported by agiven rack system. For some embodiments, the icons displayed on thegraphic user interface may be positioned on the screen in aconfiguration corresponding to the configuration of the actual cages ofthe rack system. In other words, a facsimile of a front view of a sideof the actual rack system may be displayed on the screen of the graphicuser interface such that lab personnel may immediately and intuitivelyassess the status of any of the cages on the rack system. The physicallocation of cages needing immediate attention may be identified to labpersonnel by indicators/readers positioned on the shelf of each cage orin the vicinity of each cage. For some embodiments, the indicatorsand/or cage icons of the graphic user interface may use a color codeddisplay to efficiently and rapidly convey cage status information to labpersonnel. For example, if parameters are being monitored and processedare directed to determining the appropriate time to change a disposablecage to a new unused cage, different colors displayed by the indicatorsor graphic cage icons may be used to indicate the proximity of anecessary change. If the indicator and/or graphic cage icon color isgreen, no change is necessary, if the color is yellow, a change may benecessary soon and a red color may be used to indicate the need for animmediate cage change. If the color coding of the indicators near thecages and/or cage icons in a display on a graphic user interface isdirected to cage change status information, lab personnel may selecteither or both of these parameter and view the indicators and/or iconsat once to determine whether any cage changes are immediately necessarybased on the presence of any red colored indicators and/or icons on thedisplay. A similar scheme may be used for other parameters such asammonia levels. If the lab technician selects ammonia level status, thecolor coding of the indicators/icons may then be switched to indicatewhether ammonia levels are low, high or intermediate based on thedifferent colors. Color coding may be used to indicate the need forattention by a veterinary professional for some embodiments.

A controller also may have such features as wireless access to anintranet or internet or other wireless device(s). The controller mayeither directly or indirectly be connected to a printer for printingreports, summary of experiments, documentation, inventory lists, bills,spreadsheets and the like. The controller may support video and audiofunctions as well as automated features such as sending an automatedaudio message or attached documents to a specified phone or emails,faxes and the like in response to an emergency situation, an alert, awarning or as a reminder or for monthly billing, inventory statements,summary of experiments, animal health status and the like. An electroniclog of persons accessing the controller, time, duration and operationsperformed as well as information monitored by the identifiers and/orsensors may be stored in the controller's data storage. The display alsomay have a touch screen as well as a virtual keyboard displayed on thescreen or a manual keyboard as part of the device and a speaker forvoice recognition/input. The controller of each rack also may be indirect or wireless connection to a rack server. The rack server and/ormanagement software system may coordinate schedules for all cages withinthe rack, manage maintenance, monitor all identifiers and sensors, andefficiently process all information through a user friendly displaysimilar to those of the individual controllers. In some embodiments, therack server and/or management software system may add information to oneor more cages in a rack system, where the added information is added tothe management software regarding cage component information, ordirectly to the cage by means of a read/write capable identifier.

Data from each identifier, which is manually recorded and/or detected bya reader or device, and each sensor can be received by or coupled to thecontroller to be processed and displayed on the graphic user interface.

As used herein, software or software modules refer to computer readableprogram instructions that, when executed by a processor, performcomputer operations. Typically, software is provided on a programproduct containing program instructions recorded on a computer readablestorage medium, including, but not limited to, magnetic media includingfloppy disks, hard disks, and magnetic tape; and optical media includingCD-ROM discs, DVD discs, magneto-optical discs, and other such media onwhich the program instructions can be recorded. Software may be acomputer program used to direct the operation of a computer. Softwaremay be anything that is not hardware but is used with hardware. Softwaremay be downloadable, portable, installed and/or accessed via aninternet/wireless connection.

An algorithm stored in software and/or memory can be of any suitabletype. In mathematics, computer science, and related subjects, analgorithm may be an effective method for solving a problem using afinite sequence of instructions. Algorithms are used for calculation,data processing, and many other fields. Each algorithm can be a list ofwell-defined instructions for completing a task. Starting from aninitial state, the instructions may describe a computation that proceedsthrough a well-defined series of successive states, eventuallyterminating in a final ending state. The transition from one state tothe next is not necessarily deterministic, for example, some algorithmsincorporate randomness. By way of example, without limitation, thealgorithm(s) can be search algorithms, sorting algorithms, mergealgorithms, numerical algorithms, graph algorithms, string algorithms,modeling algorithms, computational genometric algorithms, combinatorialalgorithms, machine learning, cryptography, data compression algorithmsand parsing techniques and the like. An algorithm can include one ormore algorithms working in combination. An algorithm can be of anysuitable complexity class and/or parameterized complexity. An algorithmcan be used for calculation or data processing, or used in adeterministic or probabilistic/predictive approach to a method in someembodiments. Any processing of data, such as by use with an algorithm,can be utilized in a computing environment, by use of a programminglanguage such as C, C++, Java, Perl, Python, Fortran, and the like. Thealgorithm can be modified to include margin of errors, statisticanalysis, statistical significance as well as comparison to otherinformation or data sets (for example in using a neural net orclustering algorithm).

A database stored in software and/or memory can be of any suitable type.A database may be a comprehensive, systematic collection of related dataorganized for or manipulated to convenient, immediate access. A databasealso may be one or more large structured sets of persistent data,usually associated with software to update and query the data. A simpledatabase might be a single file containing many records, each of whichcontains the same set of fields where each field is a certain fixedwidth. A database also may be a collection of nodes managed and storedin one place and all accessible via the same server. Links outside thismay be “external”, and those inside may be “internal”. A database may beaccessed and or stored in any manner, such as it may be downloadable,portable, installed and/or accessed via an internet/wireless connection.One or more databases may be used separately and in conjunction with oneother. A database may be of any size, storing any amount of informationor data. A database may store a few kilobytes of information or up toseveral thousand terabytes of data. A database may be one component of adatabase management system. Any type of database may be used, such as ananalytic database, an operational database, hierarchical database,network database, relational database, and the like or combinationsthereof.

Systems, machines or hardware discussed herein may further includegeneral components of computer systems, such as, for example, networkservers, laptop systems, desktop systems, handheld systems, personaldigital assistants, computing kiosks, and the like. Hardware may be themechanical equipment necessary for conducting an activity, usuallydistinguished from the theory and design that make the activitypossible. In a computer system, hardware may include any mechanical,magnetic, electronic and or electrical device that comprises a computersystem, such as the CPU, disk drives, keyboards, speakers, printers andscreens/monitors. The computer system may include one or more inputmeans such as a keyboard, touch screen, mouse, concept keyboards, lightpens, tracker balls, joysticks, graphic tablets, scanners, digitalcameras, video digitizers and voice recognition devices. or other meansto allow the user to enter data into the system. The system may furtherinclude one or more output means such as a CRT or LCD display screen,speaker, FAX machine, impact printer, inkjet printer, black and white orcolor laser printer or other means of providing visual, auditory orhardcopy output of information. Electronic storage mediums that may beused to provide instructions/data to the controller and/or main or localserver or provide storage/transportation from the controller/main/localserver may be for example, a removable storage device, CD-ROMS, a harddisk installed in hard disk drive, signals, magnetic tape, DVDs, opticaldisks, flash drives, RAM or floppy disk, and the like.

The input and output means may be connected to a central processing unitwhich may comprise among other components, a microprocessor forexecuting program instructions and memory for storing program code anddata. In some embodiments the methods may be implemented as a singleuser system located in a single geographical site. In other embodimentsmethods may be implemented as a multi-user system. In the case of amulti-user implementation, multiple central processing units may beconnected by means of a network. The network may be local, encompassinga single department in one portion of a building, an entire building,span multiple buildings, span a region, span an entire country or beworldwide. The network may be private, being owned and controlled by theprovider or it may be implemented as an internet based service where theuser accesses a web page to enter and retrieve information.

The present methods may be implemented using hardware, software or acombination thereof and may be implemented in a computer system or otherprocessing system. An example computer system may include one or moreprocessors. A processor can be connected to a communication bus. Thecomputer system may include a main memory, preferably random accessmemory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory. The secondarymemory can include, for example, a hard disk drive and/or a removablestorage drive, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive,an optical disk drive, memory card etc. The removable storage drivereads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit in a well-knownmanner. A removable storage unit includes, but is not limited to, afloppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by andwritten to by, for example, a removable storage drive. As will beappreciated, the removable storage unit includes a computer usablestorage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

The computer system may also include a communications interface. Acommunications interface allows software and data to be transferredbetween the computer system and external devices. Examples ofcommunications interface can include a modem, a network interface (suchas an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, awireless digital controller, etc. Software and data transferred viacommunications interface are in the form of signals, which can beelectronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of beingreceived by communications interface. These signals are provided tocommunications interface via a channel. This channel carries signals andcan be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, acellular phone link, an RF link, an IR link, and other communicationschannels. Thus, in one example, a communications interface may be usedto receive signal information to be detected by the signal detectionmodule.

FIG. 10 illustrates the system architecture of the controller 230embodiment which maintains information regarding containment cagestatus. The three levels of servers for the rack, local and main serverscan each act alone or in combination with each other. FIG. 10 shows anexample of two rack systems each having their own rack server (RS),controller 230, and one or more cage assemblies. The rack systems may beconnected either by hardware or wireless connection (as depicted in FIG.10) to one or more local servers (LS). The local server (LS) may serveseveral functions or be programmable to have additional functions. Thelocal server may host any type of user interface, such as a flashinterface, communicate with one or more rack systems, retrieve updatesfrom a main server, send or generate alerts (e.g., alarm by room, alarmby build, alarm by site, administrative communication (e.g., pages,texts, email)), report generic status to the main server, function as aweb server and local database, provide backup to the individual rackservers, provide extra memory for the controller, and host a managementsoftware system. The local server also may be directly connected orwirelessly connected to a user friendly portable device such as a smartphone or tablet personal computer, which may be handheld and easilyaccessed by users while performing maintenance on cages within a racksystem. Such a feature provides easy of use in order to maintain a logof services and/or costs per cage or update information into thedatabase. The local server can have a programmable processor thatmonitors the rack settings as well as log maintenance and export theinformation into a graphical display, such as a bar graph which can beviewed on a viewing device, a digital controller, a smart phone or tablePC, for example. The main server (for example an Innovive Server—IS) maybe wireless in communication to the local server in order to sendupdates or maintain programs or functions for each server. The mainserver may also collect site wide status for various locations andprovide a hosting network as well as a management software system. Themain server may also act as a web server, offer customer support when aneed arises and maintains a backup database and/or extra memory space. Arack system need not use a local server or main server but be selfsufficient. In another embodiment, one or more rack assemblies may onlyuse one local server. In yet another embodiment, a rack system may useonly a main server without a local server. Any combination of systemarchitecture is possible.

Management Software

Any type of software that can manage, handle, direct and/or controlmaintenance of the cage system may be used. Such management software mayhave specific modules that perform certain functions, or the softwaremay utilize or access other sources or software that can either performtasks and/or give data which aids in managing the cage system. Themanagement software may be stored/housed and/or accessed within a main,local and/or remote server. The management software also may be locatedin the controller. The software may also include other software, whichperforms such tasks as scheduling, cost control, budget management andbilling, tracking, relational database management, communication,documentation or reporting, and/or administration systems or useraccess, which may be used to manage one or more cage racks/systems foundin one or more locations. For example, the software system may track allanimal colony information and related research data, from animalinformation (e.g. names, date of birth, genotypes, pedigree, or anyother defined field), cages information (e.g. location, setup date,transferring history, cleaning schedule etc.), experiments,measurements, and the like. Scheduling may include sending convenientreminders with e-mail options may aid in managing the animals/cages andexperiments more efficiently. Scheduling also may include management ofsupport personal and/or resources (re-order reminders, stock levels ofone or more cage components, and the like). Use of the software systemmay reduce cost, for example by removing extra cages or animals not inuse.

Identifier data and information from other sources may be used alone orin combination with identifier data which may include caged animals orspecimen housed within the cage, or environmental conditions orcage/rack information. For example, information from the controllerregarding the current environmental conditions of the caged animals maybe cross referenced via the internet for information regardingappropriate oxygen, ammonium, and carbon dioxide levels for particularanimals in order to determine whether the caged environment isappropriate and to notify maintenance personnel. Such currentenvironmental conditions may be received by the controller from asensor. Information about the number of animals in a cage and the typeof animals in a cage may be send to the controller from a cage contentidentifier. Other data sources, such as simulated data or databaseinformation, for example, may be received or downloaded from anothercomputer or processor or by any known method such as for example, viathe internet, via wireless access, via hardware such as a flash drive,manual input, voice recognition, laser scanning, bar code scanning, andthe like. Such external information may be accessed, cross-referenced,integrated, manipulated, compared and downloaded with the internalinformation in the controller and/or local server manually by a person,automatically via a machine, programming and/or an algorithm, or inresponse to an alert or certain threshold indicators such as a sensor oron a by need basis, for example. Prediction algorithms may be used inorder to determine significance or give meaning to the data collectedunder variable conditions that may be weighed independently of ordependently upon each other.

The data or information gathered from the various identifiers such asthe cage content, cage user, cage component, and/or cage conditionidentifiers may be reported, documented and/or displayed in any form(i.e. digital data) and transformed or created into representations ofthat data, such as for example into a graph, a 2D graph, a 3D graph, anda 4D graph, a picture, a pictograph, a chart, a bar graph, a pie graph,a diagram, a flow chart, a scatter plot, a map, a histogram, a densitychart, a function graph, a circuit diagram, a block diagram, a bubblemap, a constellation diagram, a contour diagram, a cartogram, spiderchart, Venn diagram, nomogram, and combination thereof.

It may be appreciated that many applications of the present inventioncould be formulated. The management software may access or include anyother system, hardware or software for exchanging or processing data ortransacting business, such as the Internet, an intranet, an extranet,WAN, LAN, satellite communications, and/or the like. The users mayinteract with the system via any input device such as a keyboard, mouse,kiosk, personal digital assistant (e.g., Palm Pilot), handheld computer,cellular phone, smart phone, tablet and/or the like. Similarly, theinvention could be used in conjunction with any type of personalcomputer, network computer, workstation, minicomputer, mainframe, or thelike running any operating system such as any version of Windows,Windows NT, Windows2000, Windows 98, Windows 95, MacOS, OS/2, BeOS,Linux, UNIX, Solaris or the like. The software system may be shared withgroup members while having full security control. Because the softwaresystem is portable and/or accessible anywhere with internet connection,the information/data stored/accessed will be accurate, with nosynchronization needed.

Processing Data/Statistical Analysis

A management software system may be included in a system and can use anyvariety of statistical analysis software and/or modules to help properlymanage the cage system. Statistical methods, algorithms and/or softwaremodules can be applied to process data collected by the identifiers,sensors and other sources described herein. The controller, main, and/orlocal server may aid in applying such statistical methods, algorithms,and/or software modules to the gathered data in order to pre-process orstandardized or normalize it in order to process it into a format thatis understandable or can conform and hence be compared with other data.One or more of statistics, probability theory, data mining, patternrecognition, artificial intelligence, adaptive control, theoreticalcomputer science or any algorithm can be employed for recognizingcomplex patterns and making intelligent decisions or connections withinthe data, for example.

The data or information gathered from various identifiers such as thecage content identifiers, cage user identifiers, cage componentidentifiers, and/or cage condition identifiers may be pre-processed,standardized or normalized to conform to a particular standard. Forexample, a pre-processing step sometimes aids in normalizing data whentracking environmental conditions over a particular period of time whencomparing two different animal types which require different amounts ofoxygen. Pre-processing may involve removing irrelevant data, outliers,or false-positives, for example. Normalization can be carried out in avariety of manners. For example, oxygen requirement data can benormalized across all samples by subtracting the mean or by dividing theoxygen values by the standard deviation to obtain centered data ofstandardized variance. Other examples of normalizing data is by usingthe log median intensity protocol, applying a median intensitynormalization protocol in which raw intensities for all spots in eachsample are normalized by the median of the raw intensities, or using theZ-score mean absolute deviation of log intensity protocol, for example.In some embodiments, intensity background correction is used tonormalize measurements.

Statistical analysis or comparison may alert a user or personnel ofhuman error. For example, when an animal has been placed in the wrongcage based on past/current weight change at a specific cage locationwithin rack after cages have been taken out of the rack for maintenance,statistical analysis software, algorithms and/or software modules mayidentify the two or more cages which were switched from their previouslocation within the rack. In other embodiments, statistical analysis maydetect when a soiled component is reused or not changed out within acage after maintenance has been performed based on weight or odor of thesoiled component verses a new component. Such analysis may aid inidentifying anomalies or experimental errors, for example, when oneexperimental animal is not performing as expected, genetic lineage, cagehistory, vet history and the like may aid in excluding that animal fromthe experiment.

Electronic Modules

An electronic, computer or digital module may be a separate componentthat can be interchangeable with other electronic modules, or optionallyembodied in software, that is stored on a program product. An electronicmodule may be a self-contained segment designed to perform a particulartask and/or part of a program that performs a distinct function. Amodule also may be a plug-in hardware unit, and/or a downloadable,portable, installed software program and/or accessed via aninternet/wireless connection. Modules may reside in or be part of themanagement software system, controller, local server and/or main server.

The management software system, controller, local server and/or mainserver may have any modules necessary to maintain, manage, locate/track,and/or monitor the cages in a cage rack system. Modules may include areceiving module, an association module and a data display module andthe like.

A receiving module may receive any type of data, signal, and/orinformation by any manner. By “receiving” or “obtaining” information ismeant receiving, providing and/or accessing the signal information bycomputer communication means from a local, or remote site, human dataentry, or any other method of receiving signal information.

The information may be generated in the same location at which it isreceived, provided, accessed, or it may be generated in a differentlocation and transmitted to the receiving, provided or accessedlocation. Received information may be stored locally, remotely,off-site, or transmitted elsewhere. The information may be digital orelectronic information.

A receiving module may receive all information detected by readers inconnection with the controller on the cage rack system as well ashandheld readers or readers functioning remotely. Information detectedby readers may be identifier data such as cage content data whichrelates to the occupancy of the animal cage such as the number and typeof animals in a cage, the owner of a cage, the age of an animal, the sexof an animal, the pedigree of an animal, the experimental procedureplanned for an animal, the observations/notes by a cage user, and thelike. Readers may also detect cage user data which may containinformation regarding users or personnel of the rack system or of one ormore cages such as the personnel accessing a cage, the time of cageaccess, the date of cage access, the purpose of cage access and thelike. Readers may also detect cage component data which may label oridentify which object the identifier is located on, for example a cagelid component, a cage base component, an air supply component, an airexhaust component, a water supply component, a sensor component, afilter component, a baffle component or a feeder or components of a cageand the like. Readers may also detect cage condition data which maycontain information regarding any conditional changes made to the insideor outside of the cage itself or any materials used in maintenance ofthe cages, such as a food change, a water change, a medicineadministered to the occupants of the cage, a bedding material change, afilter change, a syringe administered to one or more animals, a gloveused by personnel cleaning the cages, cleaning supplies used to cleanthe cages or the like. Cage condition data may also contain a time/datestamp of when the non-cage material was used or administration of aprocedure in the cage or when the cage was maintained.

A receiving module may receive all information from all other sources ofthe cage rack system, such as the sensors, manual entry by a user,electronic messages to the system (i.e. emails, audio messages, faxes,document upload and the like), internet access and the like. Thus thereceiving module may have access to or be in communication with orreceive information from variety of different hardware and softwarecomponents.

An association module may have access to data or information received bythe receiving module in order to sort, track, manage, maintain, andestablish relationships between the data. By “associating” or make an“association” and the like, is meant connecting, joining, linking,accompanying, sharing or making a relationship between objects, data andthe like. An association module may be similar to or work incollaboration with a relational database. A relational database is anelectronic database comprising data of related information, which allowslinks to be established between separate data that have matching fields,and responds to queries by a user regarding the data. Thus anassociation module receives data from the receiving module, associatesthe data into a relational database, and can identify objects and/ordata or relationships in the data for the entire database.

For example, associations may be based on cage content data and/or cagecontent identifiers also known as cage card data/identifiers. The cagecontent data relates to the occupants of the animal cage and all cagecontent identifiers track actions, events, history and the like to beprocessed into or be added to the cage content data. Cage content datamay begin with all the information on the physical cage card of eachcage but additionally may contain more information regarding theoccupants. All other identifiers (cage component, cage condition andcage user) and all other data (cage component, cage condition and cageuser) may be associated with their corresponding cage content dataand/or cage content identifier.

For example, a cage content identifier may be located on the front sideof the cage bottom as well as on the flange of the cage bottom or on theflange of the corresponding cage lid, such that the identifiers for thelid, bottom and cage content may be in-line and easily detected by areader mounted to the shelf of the cage. The receiving module receivesthe three identifiers' information from the reader, which may recordtime/date of when the cage was returned to the shelf, such that theassociation module then has access to the information. The associationmodule then associates all the information based on or linked to thecage content identifier. If the cage bottom is changed and a new cagebottom identifier is detected by the reader with the cage lid identifierand the cage content identifier, the new cage bottom identifier willthen be associated with that cage content identifier. The change inbottom identifiers will be processed or recorded/tracked as a change ina cage component, and specifically with a cage bottom. Suchrecording/tracking may aid in keeping accurate inventory of cage andnon-cage items. Another example may involve a cage user such that when auser or lab personnel accesses a cage, the user must identify him orherself to the system to gain access by any means such as by password,pass code, voice recognition, identify verification and the like. Oncethe user has successfully accessed the rack system, the cage useridentifier has been received by the receiving module, the associationmodule having access to this information will associate the user withwhichever cage content identifier is detected until the user logs out ofthe system. Such that if the user accesses two cages, then the user'scage user identifier will be associated with those two cage contentidentifiers within the time frame of when the user was logged into therack system. Since those two cage content identifiers are associatedwith other identifiers such as cage component identifiers, then the useraccessing the two cages will also be associated to the correspondingcage component identifiers because they are linked together by the cagecontent identifiers.

The association module may aid in determining user error, for example iftwo cage lids were accidentally switched, the association module wouldidentify the error because the corresponding cage lid identifiers andtheir cage content identifiers would be detected at different locationsand/or detected by different readers at possibly different times whenthe cages are place and read by readers into the shelves. A comparisonof past associations with current associations also may be performed. Awarning of possible human error may be trigger graphically via thecontroller and/or light indicators on the readers of the cages that wereproblematic.

Association may be user-defined or pre-programmed. As discussed above,if a cage content identifier and cage component identifier are detectedby a reader at the same time/location within a rack system, then theymay be associated or linked. This may be an example of a pre-programmedassociation based on same location and same time detected. Associationmay be based on identifiers being detected by the same reader,identifiers being detected at relatively the same time period, and thelike. Also, a comparison of past associations with current associationsalso may be performed and pre-programmed. Associations also may beuser-defined or re-programmed by approved personnel. If a user ischanging cage components, then a re-programming instance may be allowed,for example. Thus the association module associates data orelectronic/digital information and may be software based or uses onlysoftware.

A data display module may have access to all the associated data orinformation linked by the associated module in order to display data ororganize the data or is a reporting function to the user. A data displaymodule also may be referred to as a reporting module or a documentationmodule, and in some embodiments may display a report generated from aseparate report module. A data display module may present or displaydata and/or associated data in any form to the user, such that the datapresented is virtual, reproducible, orally, tactually, olfactorily,and/or printed representations of associated data by generating a list,an inventory report, security report, productivity report, graphics, aphotograph, a virtual display of a rack module, a spreadsheet, a table,a graph, a 2D graph, a 3D graph, 4D graph, a picture, a pictograph, achart, a bar graph, a pie graph, a diagram, a flow chart, a scatterplot, a map, a histogram, a density chart, a function graph, a circuitdiagram, a block diagram, a bubble map, a constellation diagram, acontour diagram, a cartogram, a spider chart, a Venn diagram, anomogram, combinations thereof and the like. The data display module maydisplay the raw data, which is not associated. For example, the datadisplay module may display a cage content identifier, cage componentidentifier, cage user identifier and cage condition identifier. The datadisplay module may also display cage content data, cage component data,cage user data and cage condition data. The data display module mayorganize the associated date into easily recognizable, parsed,structured, and defined data such that the user may analyze the data ina managed fashion. For example, the data display module may display cagecomponent identifier data recorded by date or by a time interval, suchas one month. The data display module carries out a reporting ordocumenting function that may be user-defined and/or pre-programmed. Thereports or documents that the data display module presents to the usermay be static or manipulated and reformulated. The data display modulemay present specific reports based on user criteria and/or user query.The data display module, similar to the association module, may receivea request by a user to display information. The data display module maythen access the relational or associated database, make associationswith the data based on the user's query and present the data to theuser. The date display module may use both software and hardwarecomponents, such as a database, printer, speaker, mister and the like.

The reports and other various forms of displayed and/or organized datamay be presented to the user in a variety of ways. For some embodiments,a graphic user interface may contemporaneously display an icon or thelike for each containment cage supported by a given rack system. Forsome embodiments, the icons displayed on the graphic user interface maybe positioned on the screen in a configuration corresponding to theconfiguration of the actual cages of the rack system. In other words, afacsimile of a front view of a side of the actual rack system may bedisplayed on the screen of the graphic user interface such that labpersonnel may immediately and intuitively assess the status of any ofthe cages on the rack system. The physical location of cages needingimmediate attention may be identified to lab personnel byindicators/readers positioned on the shelf of each cage or in thevicinity of each cage. For some embodiments, the indicators and/or cageicons of the graphic user interface may use a color coded display toefficiently and rapidly convey cage status information to lab personnel.For example, if parameters are being monitored and processed aredirected to determining the appropriate time to change a disposable cageto a new unused cage, different colors displayed by the indicators orgraphic cage icons may be used to indicate the proximity of a necessarychange. If the indicator and/or graphic cage icon color is green, nochange is necessary, if the color is yellow, a change may be necessarysoon and a red color may be used to indicate the need for an immediatecage change. If the color coding of the indicators near the cages and/orcage icons in a display on a graphic user interface is directed to cagechange status information, lab personnel may select either or both ofthese parameter and view the indicators and/or icons at once todetermine whether any cage changes are immediately necessary based onthe presence of any red colored indicators and/or icons on the display.A similar scheme may be used for other parameters such as ammonialevels. If the lab technician selects ammonia level status, the colorcoding of the indicators/icons may then be switched to indicate whetherammonia levels are low, high or intermediate based on the differentcolors. Color coding may be used to indicate the need for attention by aveterinary professional for some embodiments.

A numeric display of the total number of cages requiring veterinaryattention and the total number of cages requiring changing also may beshown both as a graphic display on the controller and digitally on theindicator/reader of each cage in the rack system. In another embodiment,numbers may be displayed within each cage icon in the controller torepresent the number of animals housed within each cage. Such a displaywill quickly aid a user to determine which cages are empty, for example.Other features may include a password protection, messages, date/timedisplay, menu, alerts and the like.

The graphic display on the controller may also show the air changes perhour “ACH” value which may be adjusted by toggling up and down arrows onthe screen. The differential pressure between the supply conduits andthe exhaust conduits indicated as “DIFF PRES” also may be displayedwhich is indicative of whether the cage assembly interiors have a netpositive or negative pressure with respect to the ambient atmosphere.The “DIFF PRES” display also includes up and down arrows for adjustmentof the relative pressures for achieving either positive or negativeinternal pressure within the cage assemblies. The date, time and otherinformation also may be shown for reference by lab personnel. For somecontroller embodiments, various levels of access to the controllerparameters and output may be controlled by requiring a passcode. Forexample, a pop up menu prompting a user passcode, that, when entered,will permit user access to the controller system for making adjustmentsand resetting parameters. Other pop up menus options may include“Configuring Your Rack”, “Configuring Cage Change Schedule” and otheroptions. Access to such configuration settings may be restricted by thepasscode access to only veterinary professionals or any other suitablelevel or group of personnel.

FIG. 11 illustrates a screen shot of a graphic user interface embodimentfor a controller showing information about a cage within rack, i.e. cagecard information, cage card symbol, identifier number, cage locationwithin the rack, change interval, ACH and DIF PRES (actual anddifferential/target) percentages, display settings/schedule andcustomize rack background. In FIG. 11, an elevation view facsimile of“side A” of a rack system having four rack modules in a verticallystacked configuration is shown in the background screen. A side selectorswitch may be toggled to switch from displaying information regardingcages on “side A” of the rack system to “side B” of the rack system.FIG. 11 illustrates a controller displaying data gathered and processedfrom identifiers (such as cage location, cage card information, and thelike), sensors (air pressure), and maintenance personnel (notes).

FIGS. 12-18 illustrate more screen shots of a graphic user interfaceembodiments displaying a variety of information regarding containmentcage status, location, inventory and reports/documentation. FIG. 12shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating the cage locator query function. A pop up display 416 ofthe “Locate Cage” option is shown with three selections. Selection 01 isthe current option where the user is prompted with “Please identifywhich cages:” and to select from the drop down menu, with the options“Owned by Conger, Changed today, Changed last week, and In FluoxetineExp.” Once the user makes a selection, cages on the controller screenthat match the criteria will be displayed with polka dots/texture.Selection 02 is a previous selection by the user which displays cageschanged last week and has the cages color coded black. Selection 03 isalso a previous selection by the user, which displays cages owned byConger and has the cages color coded with striped lines. To the left ofthe selections is a facsimile of a front view of a side of the actualrack system where cages are color coded based on user selection andlocation of the cages. Indicators on the shelves of the rack system canalso show location of cages based on user queries. Indicators as shownin FIGS. 5A-C, also may be color coded similar to the controllerfacsimile of FIG. 12, such that these indicators on the cage rack mayshow the user where cages are located based on their queries. If a useris interested in a particular cage shown on the controller facsimile,they may select that cage which will display the cage card informationas shown in FIG. 11 where more information can be found, including awritten description of the cage location in terms of M (modules; up tofour modules can be on a rack), R (rows; up to 4 rows per module) and C(cages; up to eight cages per row). There is also a button with theoption “Show Cage Location via Indicator on Rack,” where the selectedcage's indicator will light up or be visually seen by the user on thecage rack once the button is selected/activated.

FIG. 13 shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating a cage change schedule. FIG. 13 illustrates a pop up menu418 corresponding to the “Configure Cage Change Schedule” option. Thechange schedule menu includes a variety of change schedule options suchas “normal”, “breeding” and “custom”. A look up chart showing number ofmice per cage versus change interval is also displayed. In thebackground, a facsimile of a front view of a side of the actual racksystem is displayed with numbers in each cage, detailing the number ofmice currently in each cage.

FIG. 14 shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating a selection of options. FIG. 14 illustrates a screen shotof a graphic user interface embodiment for a controller showinginformation about a rack, i.e. rack #236, the ACH, DIFF PRESSpercentages, a warning pop up window, as well as a menu pop up wheresetting may be updated such as date, time, alarm settings, displaysettings/schedule, locate cage and inventory. Other features may includea password protection, messages, menu and the like.

FIG. 15 shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating an inventory of food as a bar graph. As seen in FIG. 14, auser option from the menu pop up is inventory. FIG. 15 shows aninventory of food for one month for cages in module 1, row 1, where theindividual cages 1-8 are listed on the X-axis of the bar graph andounces of food are listed on the Y-axis. Other time intervals may beselected such as one day, one week, and a user may type in another timeinterval selection, for example. Other modules also may be selected forthe inventory graph, such as module 1, module 2, module 3 and/or module4. Other displays of the inventory may be shown, as indicated by thegraph format buttons, such as a line graph, calendar display or chart.

FIG. 16 shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating associated cage components. A summary of cage components(i.e. cage lid and cage bottom) which are associated with a particularcage card is displayed. Location of the cage at M1, R4 and C8 is alsoshown along with the identifier number: XMB 7845 and cage card symbol(smiley face). If other cage components were associated with thisparticular cage or cage card or cage content, then they would be listedon this screen.

FIG. 17 shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating an inventory summary over a one month time period. FIG. 17shows a chart or list of racks, descriptions of the racks, number ofcages per rack, number of cage lids, number of cage bottoms, status ofrack, change frequency, and alarm setting for maintenance. A user mayplan to order a certain number of cage lids and/or bottoms depending onthis inventory summary. Cage bottoms may be more frequently changed outverses cage lids, depending on factors such as activity of the animals,number of animals per cage and the like.

FIG. 18 shows a diagrammatic screen shot embodiment of the controllerillustrating airflow data in a list form. FIG. 18 illustrates a scheduleor history of each rack, i.e. rack #1, which may include information fortype (i.e. ACH or DP), value, time, and reference number for a historyof the last 5 minutes, last hour, last 6 hours, last 12 hours, last day,last week, last month, all and the like.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of an association of data and/or identifier.A cage component identifier and corresponding cage content identifierhave been received by the receiving module and associated together by anassociation module. Data from these identifiers have also beenassociated because their identifiers correspond to each other based onlocation within the rack system. An association module performs the taskillustrated by FIG. 19 such that the cage component data 434 and cagecontent data 436 are associated 438. Association may be user-defined orpre-programmed.

FIG. 20 shows an operational procedure for locating specified cagesbased on user criteria. Cage lid 420, cage bottom 422 and cagecard/content 424 are associated together 426 by an association module. Auser selects a criteria 428 in order to locate one or more specificcages. The association module alone or in combination with themanagement software parses the associated information/data based on theuser's criteria to identify the cage(s). A signal 430 is relayed to thecage rack system in order to identify the physical location of thecage(s) 432 by an indicator/reader in the vicinity of the cage(s). Thesignal 430 also may be relayed to the controller for a virtual graphicdisplay to identify the location of the cage(s) 432.

Examples of Embodiments

Listed hereafter are non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of thetechnology.

-   A1. A rodent containment cage system, comprising:    -   a first cage component comprising a first detectable identifier        and a second cage component comprising a second detectable        identifier, the second cage component covering the first        detectable identifier; and    -   a detector, whereby the detector is configured to detect the        first detectable identifier and the second detectable        identifier.-   A2. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the first cage component,    second cage component, or first cage component and second cage    component includes two or more identifiers.-   A3. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the identifier is selected    from the group consisting of bar codes, serial numbers, radio    frequency identifiers, discoloring polymers, reflective identifiers,    non-reflective identifiers, magnetic identifiers, symbolic codes,    chemical sensor identifiers, or combinations thereof.-   A4. The system of embodiment A3, wherein the identifier serves as a    clocking identifier, a cage position identifier, a content    identifier, or combination thereof.-   A5. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the detector is in    effective connection with a rack.-   A6. The system of embodiment A5, wherein the detector is attached to    a shelf in the rack and the first and second cage components engage    with the shelf.-   A7. The system of embodiment A5, wherein the rack comprises a shelf    that includes a channel into which a portion of the cage can slide    and the detector is located on the shelf in proximity to the channel    and is configured to detect the first and second detectable    identifiers when the cage is slid into the channel and the first and    second detectable identifies pass the detector.-   A8. The system of embodiment A7, wherein the detector is attached to    a side of the shelf in the rack and the first and second cage    components each include a flange whereby a surface of each flange of    the first and second cage component contacts each other when the    cage components are engaged and identifiers are located on the    flange of each cage component, and the detector is in-line with the    flanges and identifiers on the cage components for detection.-   A9. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the detector employs    materials selected from the group consisting of mechanical,    magnetic, magnetic optical, optical, automatic, chemical sensing,    fluorescence sensing components or combinations thereof.-   A10. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the detector is located in    a handheld device.-   A11. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the detector is located on    a cage component.-   A12. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the cage component is    selected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, cage    base component, air supply or air exhaust component, water supply    component, sensor component, filter component, baffle component or    feeder component.-   A13. The system of embodiment A12, wherein one or more cage    components are substantially transparent.-   A14. The system of embodiment A8, wherein one or more identifiers    are located on back of a cage component, on the side or sides of a    cage component, on top of a cage component, on one or more flanges    of a cage component, on a non-cage item, on a rack component,    juxtaposed to another identifier, overlapping another identifier, or    combinations thereof.-   A15. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the identifier is placed    on one or more cage components by a process selected from the group    consisting of heat, ink jet, embossing, laser impression, sticker,    adhesive, discoloring polymers, magnets, or fasteners.-   A16. The system of embodiment A5, which further comprises a display    wherein:    -   the display is located on a rack of the system; or    -   the display is located in a location remote from the rack.-   A17. The system of embodiment A1, which further comprises one or    more indicators on a rack of the containment cage system.-   A18. A rodent containment cage system, comprising:    -   one or more cage components comprising a first detectable        identifier and a second detectable identifier, and    -   a detector, whereby the detector is configured to detect the        first detectable identifier or the second detectable identifier.-   A18.1. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A18, wherein    the cage component is cage lid.-   A18.2. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A18, wherein    the cage component is cage base.-   A18.3. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A18, wherein    the cage components are a cage lid and a cage base.-   A19. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A18, wherein    the detector is attached to a cage mount assembly.-   A20. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A19, wherein    the detector is part of the front module of a cage mount assembly.-   A21. A rodent containment cage system, comprising:    -   one or more cage components comprising a first detectable        identifier and a second detectable identifier, and    -   a first detector and a second detector, whereby the first        detector is configured to detect the first detectable identifier        and the second detector is configured to detect the second        detectable identifier.-   A21.1. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A21, wherein    the cage component is cage lid.-   A21.2. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A21, wherein    the cage component is cage base.-   A21.3. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A21, wherein    the cage components are a cage lid and a cage base.-   A22. The rodent containment cage system of any one of embodiments    A21.1 to A21.3, wherein the first and second detectable identifiers    are on opposite sides along the length of a cage.-   A23. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A22, wherein    the first and second detectors are on adjacent cage mount assembles    attached to a cage rack.-   A24. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A23, wherein    the first detector is configured to detect the first detectable    identifier and the second detector is configured to detect the    second detectable identifier when a cage is slid into the cage mount    assemblies.-   A25. A rodent containment cage system, comprising:    -   a cage component comprising a detectable identifier, and    -   a first detector configured to detect the identifier.-   A26. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A25, wherein the    cage component is cage lid.-   A27. A rodent containment cage system of embodiment A25, wherein the    cage component is cage base.-   A28. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A25, wherein    the detector is attached to a cage mount assembly.-   A29. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A28, wherein    the detector is part of the front module of a cage mount assembly.-   A30. The rodent containment cage system of embodiment A28, wherein    the detector is configured to detect the detectable identifier when    a cage comprising the cage component with the identifier is slid    into the cage mount assemblies.-   B1. A rodent containment cage, comprising:    -   a base comprising a first detectable identifier; and    -   a lid comprising a second detectable identifier, affixed to the        base, and covering the first detectable identifier, whereby the        second detectable identifier is located in proximity to the        first detectable identifier.-   B2. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein a detector is    configured to detect the first detectable identifier and the second    detectable identifier.-   B3. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein the base or lid    includes two or more identifiers.-   B4. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein the identifier is    selected from the group consisting of bar codes, serial numbers,    radio frequency identifiers, discoloring polymers, reflective    identifiers, non-reflective identifiers, electromagnetic    identifiers, magnetic identifiers, symbolic codes, chemical sensor    identifiers, or combinations thereof.-   B5. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein the identifier    serves as a clocking identifier, a cage position identifier, a    content identifier, or combination thereof.-   B6. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein the detector is    in effective connection with the cage.-   B7. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein the detector is    located on a cage component.-   B8. The containment cage of embodiment B1, wherein the base, lid or    both are substantially transparent.-   B9. The containment cage of embodiment B2, wherein one or more    identifiers are located on back of the base or lid, on the side or    sides of the base or lid, on top of the base or lid, on one or more    flanges of the base or lid, juxtaposed to another identifier,    overlapping another identifier, or combinations thereof.-   B10. The containment cage of B1, wherein the identifier is placed on    one or more cage components by a process selected from the group    consisting of heat, ink jet, embossing, laser impression, sticker,    adhesive, discoloring polymers, magnets, or fasteners.-   B11. The containment cage of B1, wherein the detector is connected    to a shelf in a rack.-   B12. A rodent containment cage, comprising:    -   one or more components with a first detectable identifier and        second detectable identifier.-   B12.1. A rodent containment cage of embodiment B12, wherein the cage    component is cage lid.-   B12.2. A rodent containment cage of embodiment B12, wherein the cage    component is cage base.-   B12.3. A rodent containment cage of embodiment B12, wherein the cage    components are a cage lid and a cage base.-   B13. The rodent containment cage of any one of embodiments B12.1 to    B12.3, wherein the first and second detectable identifiers are on    opposite sides along the length of a cage.-   B14. The containment cage of embodiment B12, wherein the first    identifier and the second identifier are the same.-   B15. The containment cage of embodiment B12, wherein the first    identifier and the second identifier are different.-   B16. The containment cage of embodiment B12, wherein the first and    second detectable identifiers comprise bar codes.-   B16.1. The containment cage of embodiment B16, wherein the first and    second detectable identifiers generate a unique identifier when    detected together.-   B17. A rodent containment cage, comprising a component with a first    detectable identifier.-   B18. A rodent containment cage of embodiment B17, wherein the cage    component is a cage lid.-   B19. A rodent containment cage of embodiment B17, wherein the cage    component is a cage base.-   C1. A method for detecting identifiers on a rodent containment cage,    comprising:    -   engaging a cage with a shelf of a rack, the cage comprising a        base that includes a first detectable identifier and lid that        includes a second detectable identifier, and the shelf        comprising a detector; and    -   sliding the cage into the shelf, whereby the first detectable        identifier and the second detectable identifier are detected by        the detector as they pass the detector when the cage is slid        into the shelf.-   C2. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the lid covers the first    detectable identifier and first detectable identifier is detected    through lid.-   C3. The method of embodiment C2, wherein the detector is an optical    reader, the first detectable identifier and the second detectable    identifier are configured for optical detection, and the lid is    substantially transparent.-   C3.1. The method of embodiment C3, wherein the lid is substantially    transparent to some electromagnetic radiation but not all    electromagnetic radiation.-   C4. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the first detectable    identifier and the second detectable identifier are arranged    in-line.-   C4.1. The method of embodiment C4, wherein the first detectable    identifier and the second detectable identifier include regions of    overlap.-   C5. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the lid or the base    includes two or more detectable identifiers.-   C6. The containment cage of embodiment C5, wherein the detectable    identifier is selected from the group consisting of bar codes,    serial numbers, radio frequency identifiers, discoloring polymers,    reflective identifiers, non-reflective identifiers, electromagnetic    identifiers, magnetic identifiers, symbolic codes, chemical sensor    identifiers, or combinations thereof.-   C7. The containment cage of embodiment C1, wherein the detectable    identifier serves as a clocking identifier, a cage position    identifier, a content identifier, or combination thereof.-   C8. The containment cage of embodiment C1, wherein the shelf further    comprises a channel and the cage slides into the shelf by engaging    the channel.-   C9. A method for detecting identifiers on a rodent containment cage,    comprising:    -   engaging a cage with rail guides on adjacent first and second        cage mount assemblies of a rack, the cage comprising a first        detectable identifier and a second detectable identifier, and        the first and second cage mount assemblies each comprising a        detector; and    -   sliding the cage into the cage mount assemblies thereby        contacting the cage lid with the rail guides of the first and        second cage mount assemblies, whereby the first detectable        identifier is detected by the detector on the first cage mount        assembly and the second detectable identifier is detected by the        detector on the second cage mount assembly as each identifier        passes each detector when the cage is slid into the first and        second cage mount assemblies.-   C10. The containment cage of embodiment C9, wherein the detectable    identifiers comprise bar codes.-   C11. A method for detecting an identifier on a rodent containment    cage, comprising:    -   engaging a cage with a rail guide on a cage mount assembly of a        rack, the cage comprising a detectable identifier and the cage        mount assembly comprising a detector; and    -   sliding the cage into the cage mount assembly thereby contacting        the cage lid with the rail guide of the cage mount assembly,        whereby the detectable identifier is detected by the detector on        the first cage mount assembly as the identifier passes the        detector when the cage is slid into the cage mount assembly.-   D1. A rodent containment cage system, comprising:    -   a rack that includes a cage, the cage including a base that        comprises a first detectable identifier, a lid that comprises a        second detectable identifier, and a third detectable identifier        in association with the lid and/or the base that includes cage        content information;    -   a shelf connected to the rack and in association with the cage,        the shelf including a detector configured to detect the first        detectable identifier, the second detectable identifier and the        third detectable identifier; and    -   a processor in effective communication with the detector that        associates the cage content information with the first        detectable identifier and the second detectable identifier.-   D2. The system of embodiment D1, further comprising a controller in    effective communication with the processor and configured to receive    association information from the processor.-   D3. The system of embodiment D2, further comprising an indicator in    effective communication with the controller, the indicator    configured to identify one or more cage components in association    with the cage content information or subset thereof.-   D4. The system of embodiment D3, wherein the indicator identifies    one or more cage components by a visual, auditory, tactile indicator    or combinations thereof.-   D5. The system of embodiment D4, wherein the indicator is a visual    light display.-   D6. The system of embodiment D4, wherein the indicator is a LED    display.-   D7. The system of embodiment D4, wherein the indicator is integrated    into the detector.-   D8. The system of embodiment D4, wherein the indicator is integrated    into the rack.-   D9. The system of embodiment D1, wherein the cage and/or the lid is    in association with a card that comprises cage content information.-   D10. The system of embodiment D1, wherein the lid covers the first    detectable identifier and first detectable identifier is detected    through the lid.-   D11. The system of embodiment D1, wherein the first detectable    identifier and the second detectable identifiers are arranged    in-line or overlapping one another.-   D12. The system of embodiment D1, wherein the second detectable    identifier and the third detectable identifiers are arranged in-line    or overlapping one another.-   D13. The system of embodiment D1, wherein the first detectable    identifier and the third detectable identifiers are arranged in-line    or overlapping one another.-   D14. The system of embodiment D1, further comprising a card that    comprises cage content information.-   D15. The system of embodiment D2, wherein the controller is located    in a location on the rack and/or remote from the rack.-   E1. A method for associating cage content information with one or    more cage components in a rodent containment system, comprising:    -   detecting a first detectable identifier in association with a        cage base, a second detectable identifier in association with a        cage lid, and a third detectable identifier in association with        the lid and/or the base that includes the cage content        information, by a detector in association with a shelf that is        connected to a rack; and    -   transmitting the first detectable identifier, the second        detectable identifier and the third detectable identifier to a        processor configured to associate the cage content information        of the third detectable identifier with the first detectable        identifier and/or the second detectable identifier.-   E2. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising associating via    the processor the cage content information of the third detectable    identifier with the first detectable identifier and/or the second    detectable identifier, thereby producing an association.-   E3. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising transmitting the    association from the processor to a controller.-   E4. The method of embodiment E3, further comprising transmitting the    association from the controller to an indicator and identifying one    or more cage components in association with the cage content    information or subset thereof.-   F1. A method for associating parts of a rodent containment cage    system, comprising:    -   receiving cage component data obtained from a detectable        identifier;    -   receiving cage content data; and    -   associating the cage component data with the corresponding cage        content data, thereby generating an association.-   F2. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the cage component data is    from an identifier detected by a detector.-   F3. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the cage content data is    from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   F4. The method of any one of embodiments F1 to F3, further    comprising receiving cage condition data and associating the cage    condition data with the corresponding cage content data and/or cage    component data, thereby generating an association.-   F5. The method of embodiment F4, wherein the cage condition data is    from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   F6. The method of any one of embodiments F1 to F5, further    comprising receiving cage user data and associating the cage user    data with the corresponding cage content data, corresponding cage    component data and/or corresponding cage condition data, thereby    generating an association.-   F7. The method of embodiment F6, wherein the cage user data is from    a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   F8. The method of any one of embodiments F1 to F7, further    comprising reporting the association.-   F9. The method of embodiment F8, wherein the association includes an    association between the cage component data and the corresponding    cage content data.-   F10. The method of embodiment F8, wherein the association includes    an association between the cage condition data and the corresponding    cage content data and/or the corresponding cage component data.-   F11. The method of embodiment F8, wherein the association includes    an association between the cage user data, and the corresponding    cage content data, the corresponding cage condition data and/or the    corresponding cage component data.-   F12. The method of any one of embodiments F8 to F11, wherein the    reporting is user-defined.-   F13. The method of any one of embodiments F8 to F11, wherein the    reporting is pre-programmed.-   F14. The method of embodiment any one of embodiments F8 to F13,    wherein the reporting is selected from the group consisting of cage    indicators, graphics, inventory reports, security reports and    productivity reports.-   F15. The method of embodiment F4, wherein the cage condition data is    selected from the group consisting of a food change, a water change,    a medicine administered, a bedding material change, a filter change,    a syringe administered, a glove used, and combinations thereof.-   F16. The method of embodiment F14, wherein the cage condition data    is given a time stamp and/or date stamp when the cage condition data    is received.-   F17. The method of embodiment F6, wherein the cage user data is    selected from the group consisting of a personnel accessing the    cage, a time of cage access, a date of cage access, a purpose of    cage access, and combinations thereof.-   F18. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the cage component is    selected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, a cage    base component, an air supply component, an air exhaust component, a    water supply component, a sensor component, a filter component, a    baffle component, a feeder and combinations thereof.-   F19. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the cage content data is    selected from the group consisting of number of animals, and type of    animal in a cage, animal identifier, an owner of the cage, an age of    an animal, a sex of an animal, a pedigree of an animal, an    experimental procedure on an animal, an observations by a cage user,    and combinations thereof.-   F20. The method of embodiment F2, wherein the detector is connected    to a shelf in a rack of the system.-   G1. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium    having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the    computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a    method for associating parts of a rodent containment cage system,    the method comprising:    -   receiving cage component data obtained from a detectable        identifier;    -   receiving cage content data; and    -   associating the cage component data with the corresponding cage        content data, thereby generating an association.-   G2. The program product of embodiment G1, wherein the cage component    data is from an identifier detected by a detector.-   G3. The program product of embodiment G1, wherein the cage content    data is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   G4. The program product of any one of embodiments G1 to G3, further    comprising receiving cage condition data and associating the cage    condition data with the corresponding cage content data and/or cage    component data, thereby generating an association.-   G5. The program product of embodiment G4, wherein the cage condition    data is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   G6. The program product of any one of embodiments G1 to G3, further    comprising receiving cage user data and associating the cage user    data with the corresponding cage content data, corresponding cage    component data and/or corresponding cage condition data, thereby    generating an association.-   G7. The program product of embodiment G6, wherein the cage user data    is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   G8. The program product of any one of embodiments G1 to G7, further    comprising reporting the association.-   G9. The program product of embodiment G8, wherein the association    includes an association between the cage component data and the    corresponding cage content data.-   G10. The program product of embodiment G8, wherein the association    includes an association between the cage condition data and the    corresponding cage content data and/or the corresponding cage    component data.-   G11. The program product of embodiment G8, wherein the association    includes an association between the cage user data, and the    corresponding cage content data, the corresponding cage condition    data and/or the corresponding cage component data.-   G12. The program product of any one of any one of embodiments G8 to    G11, wherein the reporting is user-defined.-   G13. The program product of any one of any one of embodiments G8 to    G11, wherein the reporting is pre-programmed.-   G14. The program product of any one of any one of embodiments G8 to    G13, wherein the reporting is selected from the group consisting of    cage indicators, graphics, inventory reports, security reports and    productivity reports.-   G15. The program product of embodiment G4, wherein the cage    condition data is selected from the group consisting of a food    change, a water change, a medicine administered, a bedding material    change, a filter change, a syringe administered, a glove used, and    combinations thereof.-   G16. The program product of embodiment G15, wherein the cage    condition data is given a time stamp and/or date stamp when the cage    condition data is received.-   G17. The program product of embodiment G6, wherein the cage user    data is selected from the group consisting of a personnel accessing    the cage, a time of cage access, a date of cage access, a purpose of    cage access, and combinations thereof.-   G18. The program product of embodiment G1, wherein the cage    component is selected from the group consisting of a cage lid    component, a cage base component, an air supply component, an air    exhaust component, a water supply component, a sensor component, a    filter component, a baffle component, a feeder component and    combinations thereof.-   G19. The program product of embodiment G1, wherein the cage content    data is selected from the group consisting of number of animals in a    cage, type of animals in a cage, animal identifier, an owner of the    cage, an age of an animal, a sex of an animal, a pedigree of an    animal, an experimental procedure on an animal, an observations by a    cage user, and combinations thereof.-   G20. The method of embodiment G2, wherein the detector is connected    to a shelf in a rack of the system.-   G21. The program product of embodiment G1, wherein the computer    program product is stored on a removable storage device selected    from the group consisting of a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic    tape, a CD-ROM disc, a DVD disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a USB    drive.-   H1. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium    having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the    computer readable program code including distinct software modules    adapted to be executed to implement a method for associating parts    of a rodent containment cage, the method comprising:    -   i. receiving, by a receiving module, cage component data        obtained from a detectable identifier;    -   ii. receiving, by the receiving module, cage content data; and    -   iii. associating the cage component data with the corresponding        cage content data, thereby generating an association, by an        associating module.-   H2. The program product of embodiment H1, wherein the cage component    data is from an identifier detected by a detector.-   H3. The program product of embodiment H1, wherein the cage content    data is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   H4. The program product of any one of embodiments H1 to H3, further    comprising receiving cage condition data and associating the cage    condition data with the corresponding cage content data and/or cage    component data, thereby generating an association.-   H5. The program product of embodiment H4, wherein the cage condition    data is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   H6. The program product of any one of embodiments H1 to H5, further    comprising receiving cage user data and associating the cage user    data with the corresponding cage content data, corresponding cage    component data and/or corresponding cage condition data, thereby    generating an association.-   H7. The program product of embodiment H6, wherein the cage user data    is from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   H8. The program product of any one of embodiments H1 to H7, further    comprising reporting the association of the one or more cage    component data with the corresponding cage content data by a    reporting module.-   H9. The program product of embodiment H8, wherein the association    includes an association between the cage component data and the    corresponding cage content data.-   H10. The program product of embodiment H8, wherein the association    includes an association between the cage condition data and the    corresponding cage content data and/or the corresponding cage    component data.-   H11. The program product of embodiment H8, wherein the association    includes an association between the cage user data, and the    corresponding cage content data, the corresponding cage condition    data and/or the corresponding cage component data.-   H12. The program product of any one of embodiments H8 to H11,    wherein the reporting is user-defined-   H13. The program product of any one of embodiments H8 to H11,    wherein the reporting is pre-programmed.-   H14. The program product of embodiment any one of embodiments H8 to    H13, wherein the reporting by the reporting module is selected from    the group consisting of cage indicators, graphics, inventory    reports, security reports and productivity reports.-   H15. The program product of embodiment H4, wherein the cage    condition data is selected from the group consisting of a food    change, a water change, a medicine administered, a bedding material    change, a filter change, a syringe administered, or a glove used.-   H16. The program product of embodiment H14, wherein the cage    condition data is given a time/date stamp when the cage condition    data is performed.-   H17. The program product of embodiment H6, wherein the cage user    data is selected from the group consisting of a personnel accessing    the cage, a time of cage access, a date of cage access, or a purpose    of cage access.-   H18. The program product of embodiment H1, wherein the cage    component is selected from the group consisting of a cage lid    component, a cage base component, an air supply component, an air    exhaust component, a water supply component, a sensor component, a    filter component, a baffle component or a feeder.-   H19. The program product of embodiment H1, wherein the cage content    data is selected from the group consisting of a number and type of    animals in a cage, an owner of the cage, an age of an animal, a sex    of an animal, a pedigree of an animal, an experimental procedure on    an animal or an observations by a cage user.-   H20. The method of embodiment H2, wherein the detector is connected    to a shelf in a rack of the system.-   H21. The program product of embodiment H1, wherein the computer    program product is stored on a removable storage device selected    from the group consisting of a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic    tape, a CD-ROM disc, a DVD disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a USB    drive.-   I1. A system that associates cage content data with cage component    data in a rodent containment system comprising a programmable    processor, the system comprising a processor that implements a    computer program product of any one of embodiments G1 to G20 or H1    to H20.-   I2. The system of embodiment I1, wherein the cage component data is    from an identifier detected by a detector.-   I3. The system of embodiment I1, wherein the cage content data is    from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   I4. The system of any one of embodiments I1 to I3, further    comprising receiving cage condition data and associating the cage    condition data with the corresponding cage content data and/or cage    component data, thereby generating an association.-   I5. The system of embodiment I4, wherein the cage condition data is    from a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   I6. The system of any one of embodiments I1 to I5, further    comprising receiving cage user data and associating the cage user    data with the corresponding cage content data, corresponding cage    component data and/or corresponding cage condition data, thereby    generating an association.-   I7. The system of embodiment I6, wherein the cage user data is from    a detectable identifier and/or manual input.-   I8. The system of any one of embodiments I1 to I7, further    comprising reporting the association.-   I9. The system of embodiment I8, wherein the association includes an    association between the cage component data and the corresponding    cage content data.-   I10. The system of embodiment I8, wherein the association includes    an association between the cage condition data and the corresponding    cage content data and/or the corresponding cage component data.-   I11. The system of embodiment I8, wherein the association includes    an association between the cage user data, and the corresponding    cage content data, the corresponding cage condition data and/or the    corresponding cage component data.-   I12. The system of any one of embodiments I8 to I11, wherein the    reporting is user-defined.-   I13. The system of any one of embodiments I8 to I11, wherein the    reporting is pre-programmed.-   I14. The system of embodiment any one of embodiments I8 to I13,    wherein the reporting is selected from the group consisting of cage    indicators, graphics, inventory reports, security reports and    productivity reports.-   I15. The system of embodiment I4, wherein the cage condition data is    selected from the group consisting of a food change, a water change,    a medicine administered, a bedding material change, a filter change,    a syringe administered, a glove used, and combinations thereof.-   I16. The system of embodiment I14, wherein the cage condition data    is given a time stamp and date stamp when the cage condition data is    received.-   I17. The system of embodiment I6, wherein the cage user data is    selected from the group consisting of a personnel accessing the    cage, a time of cage access, a date of cage access, a purpose of    cage access, and combinations thereof.-   I18. The system of embodiment I1, wherein the cage component is    selected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, a cage    base component, an air supply component, an air exhaust component, a    water supply component, a sensor component, a filter component, a    baffle component, a feeder and combinations thereof.-   I19. The system of embodiment I1, wherein the cage content data is    selected from the group consisting of number of animals in a cage,    type of animals in a cage, animal identifier, an owner of the cage,    an age of an animal, a sex of an animal, a pedigree of an animal, an    experimental procedure on an animal, an observations by a cage user,    and combinations thereof.-   I20. The system of embodiments I4 or I6, further comprising a    detector in association with a rack that detects an identifier    associated with the cage component data, the cage content data, the    cage condition data and/or the cage user data.-   I21. The system of embodiment I1, further comprises a controller;    -   the controller is located on a rack of the system; and    -   the controller is located in a location remote from the rack.-   I22. The system of embodiment I1, further comprises one or more    indicators on the rack.-   J1. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a wall that contains, or walls        that contain, a first support member plenum and a second support        member plenum substantially extending the length of the support        member,    -   each support member comprising a first set of cage connection        apertures and a second set of cage connection apertures in the        wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member, each        aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the first support member plenum, and each        aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the second support member plenum;    -   each support member comprising a first set of support member end        apertures in connection with the first support member plenum and        a second set of support member end apertures in connection with        the second support member plenum, each of which end apertures is        at the end of each support member that connects to a side        member;    -   each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls that        contain, a first side member plenum and a second side member        plenum substantially extending the length of the side member,        and    -   each side member comprising a first set of side member apertures        and a second set of side member apertures in the wall or walls        of the side member, one or more apertures of the first set of        side member apertures are in connection with the first side        member plenum and are in effective connection with one or more        apertures of the first set of support member end apertures, and        one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures        are in connection with the second side member plenum and are in        effective connection with one or more apertures of the second        set of support member end apertures.-   J2. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, whereby each    first support member plenum is in effective connection with each    first side member plenum and each second support member plenum is in    effective connection with each second side member plenum.-   J3. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, wherein the    support member apertures are regularly spaced across the transverse    axis of the support member.-   J4. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, comprising a    nozzle at each aperture in the support member.-   J5. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, further    comprising a plurality of cage mounts on a bottom surface of each    support member.-   J5.1. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J5, wherein    each cage mount comprises a rail configured to slidingly receive a    cage member and a protrusion configured to stop slideable movement    of the cage member.-   J5.2. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J5.1, wherein    the cage mount comprises a detector configured to detect a    detectable identifier on a cage component slidingly engaged with the    cage mount.-   J6. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, comprising a    first air connection plate comprising an aperture in effective    connection with an aperture on the upper end of a first side member    plenum of a side member and comprising a second air connection plate    comprising an aperture in effective connection with an aperture on    the upper end of a second side member plenum on the opposite side    member.-   J7. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, wherein each    support member and each side member comprises a channel configured    to receive a communication medium.-   J8. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J7, which channel    comprises a communication medium.-   J9. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, wherein the    rack is configured to, when positive air pressure is supplied to the    first side member plenum of a side member, direct air from the first    side member plenum of a side member to the first set of side member    apertures of a side member to a set of support member end apertures    to the first support member plenums and through the first set of    cage connection apertures.-   J10. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1, wherein the    rack is configured to, when negative air pressure is supplied to the    second side member plenum of a side member, direct air through the    second set of cage connection apertures to the second support member    plenums to a second set of support member end apertures to the    second set of side member apertures of a side member and to the    second side member plenum of a side member.-   K1. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members, which contain a        communication medium, each disposed between and connected to a        first side member and a second side member and a first side        member and a second side member which contain a communication        medium.-   K2. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K1, wherein the    communication mediums in the support members are in effective    communication with the communication mediums in the side members.-   K3. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a channel adapted to contain        communication mediums;    -   each support member comprising an end aperture at each end which        the support member connects to the side member;    -   each side member comprising a channel adapted to contain        communication mediums.-   K3.1. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K3, wherein the    channels contain communication mediums.-   K3.2. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a wall that contains, or walls        that contain, a first support member plenum and a second support        member plenum substantially extending the length of the support        member,    -   each support member comprising a first set of cage connection        apertures and a second set of cage connection apertures in the        wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member, each        aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the first support member plenum, and each        aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the second support member plenum;    -   each support member comprising a first set of support member end        apertures in connection with the first support member plenum and        a second set of support member end apertures in connection with        the second support member plenum, each of which end apertures is        at the end of each support member that connects to a side        member;    -   each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls that        contain, a first side member plenum and a second side member        plenum substantially extending the length of the side member,    -   each side member comprising a first set of side member apertures        and a second set of side member apertures in the wall or walls        of the side member, one or more apertures of the first set of        side member apertures are in connection with the first side        member plenum and are in effective connection with one or more        apertures of the first set of support member end apertures, and        one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures        are in connection with the second side member plenum and are in        effective connection with one or more apertures of the second        set of support member end apertures; and    -   each support member and each side member comprising a channel        configured to receive communication mediums.-   K.3.3. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K3.2, which    channel comprises communication mediums.-   K.3.4. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a wall that contains, or walls        that contain, a first support member plenum and a second support        member plenum substantially extending the length of the support        member,    -   each support member comprising a first set of cage connection        apertures and a second set of cage connection apertures in the        wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member, each        aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the first support member plenum, and each        aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the second support member plenum;    -   each support member comprising a first set of support member end        apertures in connection with the first support member plenum and        a second set of support member end apertures in connection with        the second support member plenum, each of which end apertures is        at the end of each support member that connects to a side        member;    -   each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls that        contain, a first side member plenum and a second side member        plenum substantially extending the length of the side member,    -   each side member comprising a first set of side member apertures        and a second set of side member apertures in the wall or walls        of the side member, one or more apertures of the first set of        side member apertures are in connection with the first side        member plenum and are in effective connection with one or more        apertures of the first set of support member end apertures, and        one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures        are in connection with the second side member plenum and are in        effective connection with one or more apertures of the second        set of support member end apertures; and    -   each support member and each side member comprises communication        mediums.-   K3.5. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K3.4, which    communication mediums are contained in a channel in each support    member and each side member.-   K3.6. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments    K3.2, K3.3 and K3.4 wherein the channel in each support member is    disposed between the first support member plenum and the second    support member plenum.-   K3.7. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments    K3.2, K3.3 and K3.4 wherein the channel in each side member is    disposed between the first side member plenum and the second side    member plenum.-   K4. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments K2 to    K3.6, wherein the communication mediums in the side members are in    effective connection with the communication mediums in the support    members.-   K5. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments K2 to    K3.7, further comprising a plurality of cage mounts on a bottom    surface of each support member.-   K5.1. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K5, wherein    each cage mount comprises a rail configured to slidingly receive a    cage member and a protrusion configured to stop slideable movement    of the cage member.-   K5.2. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K5.1, wherein    the cage mount comprises a detector configured to detect a    detectable identifier on a cage component slidingly engaged with the    cage mount.-   K6. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments K5 to    K5.2, wherein each cage mount has a channel adapted to contain    communication mediums.-   K7. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment K6, wherein the    communication mediums in the support member are in communication    with the communication mediums in the cage mounts.-   L1. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a wall that contains, or walls        that contain, a first support member plenum and a second support        member plenum substantially extending the length of the support        member,    -   each support member comprising a first set of cage connection        apertures and a second set of cage connection apertures in the        wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member, each        aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the first support member plenum, and each        aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the second support member plenum;    -   each support member comprising a first set of support member end        apertures in connection with the first support member plenum and        a second set of support member end apertures in connection with        the second support member plenum, each of which end apertures is        at the end of each support member that connects to a side        member;    -   each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls that        contain, a first side member plenum and a second side member        plenum substantially extending the length of the side member;    -   each side member comprising a first set of side member apertures        and a second set of side member apertures in the wall or walls        of the side member, one or more apertures of the first set of        side member apertures are in connection with the first side        member plenum and are in effective connection with one or more        apertures of the first set of support member end apertures, and        one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures        are in connection with the second side member plenum and are in        effective connection with one or more apertures of the second        set of support member end apertures; and    -   the rack is configured to, when positive air pressure is        supplied to the first side member plenum of a side member,        direct air from the first side member plenum of a side member to        the first set of side member apertures of a side member to a set        of support member end apertures to the first support member        plenums and through the first set of cage connection apertures.-   L2. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a wall that contains, or walls        that contain, a first support member plenum and a second support        member plenum substantially extending the length of the support        member,    -   each support member comprising a first set of cage connection        apertures and a second set of cage connection apertures in the        wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member, each        aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the first support member plenum, and each        aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the second support member plenum;    -   each support member comprising a first set of support member end        apertures in connection with the first support member plenum and        a second set of support member end apertures in connection with        the second support member plenum, each of which end apertures is        at the end of each support member that connects to a side        member;    -   each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls that        contain, a first side member plenum and a second side member        plenum substantially extending the length of the side member;    -   each side member comprising a first set of side member apertures        and a second set of side member apertures in the wall or walls        of the side member, one or more apertures of the first set of        side member apertures are in connection with the first side        member plenum and are in effective connection with one or more        apertures of the first set of support member end apertures, and        one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures        are in connection with the second side member plenum and are in        effective connection with one or more apertures of the second        set of support member end apertures; and    -   the rack is configured to, when negative air pressure is        supplied to the second side member plenum of a side member,        direct air through the second set of cage connection apertures        to the second support member plenums to a second set of support        member end apertures to the second set of side member apertures        of a side member and to the second side member plenum of a side        member.-   L3. A rodent containment cage rack, comprising:    -   a plurality of cage mount support members each disposed between        and connected to a first side member and a second side member,    -   each support member comprising a wall that contains, or walls        that contain, a first support member plenum and a second support        member plenum substantially extending the length of the support        member,    -   each support member comprising a first set of cage connection        apertures and a second set of cage connection apertures in the        wall or walls of a lower surface of a support member, each        aperture of the first set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the first support member plenum, and each        aperture of the second set of cage connection apertures is in        connection with the second support member plenum;    -   each support member comprising a first set of support member end        apertures in connection with the first support member plenum and        a second set of support member end apertures in connection with        the second support member plenum, each of which end apertures is        at the end of each support member that connects to a side        member;    -   each side member comprising a wall that contains, or walls that        contain, a first side member plenum and a second side member        plenum substantially extending the length of the side member;    -   each side member comprising a first set of side member apertures        and a second set of side member apertures in the wall or walls        of the side member, one or more apertures of the first set of        side member apertures are in connection with the first side        member plenum and are in effective connection with one or more        apertures of the first set of support member end apertures, and        one or more apertures of the second set of side member apertures        are in connection with the second side member plenum and are in        effective connection with one or more apertures of the second        set of support member end apertures; and    -   the rack is configured to, when positive air pressure is        supplied to the first side member plenum of a side member,        direct air from the first side member plenum of a side member to        the first set of side member apertures of a side member to a        first set of support member end apertures to the first support        member plenums and through the first set of cage connection        apertures; and    -   the rack is configured to, when negative air pressure is        supplied to the second side member plenum of a side member,        direct air through the second set of cage connection apertures        to the second support member plenums to a second set of support        member end apertures to the second set of side member apertures        of a side member and to the second side member plenum of a side        member.-   L4. The rack of embodiment L1 or L3, comprising a blower in    effective connection with the rack that provides the positive air    pressure.-   L5. The rack of embodiment L2 or L3, comprising a blower in    effective connection with the rack that provides the negative air    pressure.-   L6. The rack of embodiment L4 or L5, wherein the blower is in    effective connection to an aperture at the top of the side member,    the second side member, or the first side member and the second side    member.-   L7. The rack of any one of embodiments L1, L3, L4 and L6, wherein    the pressure across a first support member plenum varies less than    5%.-   L8. The rack of embodiment L7, wherein the rack comprises cage    protrusion connection assemblies each comprising a nozzle in    effective connection with the cage connection apertures and the    pressure is measured at the assemblies.-   L9. The rack of any one of embodiments L1 to L8, comprising one or    more cages.-   L10. The rack of embodiment L9, wherein air enters each cage    effectively through an aperture of the first set of cage connection    apertures and exits the cage effectively through an aperture of the    second set of cage connection apertures.-   L11. The rack of embodiment L10, wherein the one or more cages are    engaged with cage protrusion connection assemblies in effective    connection with the first set of cage connection apertures and the    second set of cage connection apertures.-   L12. The rack of embodiment L10 or L11, wherein the air flow in the    first support member plenum and the second support member plenum is    transverse to the air flow across the bottom of the one or more    cages.-   M1. A modular blower system comprising independent modules, which    modules comprise:    -   an air intake or air    -   exhaust unit; and    -   a fan unit; and    -   a filter unit; and    -   which modules are stacked in series.-   M1.1. The modular blower of embodiment M1, wherein the modules are    vertically stacked.-   M1.2. The modular blower of embodiment M1, wherein the modules are    horizontally stacked.-   M1.3. The modular blower of embodiment M1, that comprises an air    intake unit.-   M1.4. The modular blower of embodiment M1.3, wherein the air intake    unit comprises a pre-filter and a baffle.-   M2. The modular blower of embodiment M1, wherein the edges of the    stacked units are contiguous.-   M2.1. The modular blower of embodiment M1 or M2, wherein the    sidewalls of the units are contiguous.-   M3. The modular blower of embodiment M1, that comprises an air    exhaust unit.-   M4. The modular blower of embodiment M3, wherein the air exhaust    unit comprises an air outlet structure attached to a sidewall.-   M4.1. The modular blower of embodiment M3, wherein the outlet    structure is perpendicular to a sidewall of the air exhaust unit.-   M5. The modular blower of embodiment M1.3, wherein the air intake    unit is connected to the fan unit, and the fan unit is connected to    the filter unit.-   M6. The modular blower of embodiment M5, wherein the filter unit    comprises a HEPA filter.-   M7. The modular blower of embodiment M3, wherein the air exhaust    unit is connected to the fan unit, and the fan unit is connected to    the filter unit.-   M8. The modular blower of embodiment M7, wherein the filter unit    comprises a HEPA filter.-   M9. The modular blower of embodiment M8, wherein the filter unit    comprises a pre-filter upstream of the HEPA filter.-   M10. The modular blower of embodiments M1, further comprising a    base.-   M11. The modular blower of embodiment M1, attached to a rodent    containment cage rack.-   M12. A modular blower system comprising independent modules, which    modules comprise:    -   a fan unit; and    -   a filter unit; and    -   which modules are stacked in series.-   M12.1. The modular blower of embodiment M12, wherein the modules are    vertically stacked.-   M12.2. The modular blower of embodiment M12, wherein the modules are    horizontally stacked.-   N1. A circuit board hub attached to a rodent containment rack    comprising:    -   a connector or receiver for electrical power and communication        mediums and an identifier for the cages attached to the rack.-   N2. A circuit board hub of embodiment N1, comprising:    -   an identifier is for the configuration of the cages in the rack;    -   a receiver for communication medium; and    -   a connector for a control unit; and    -   a receiver for electrical power.-   O1. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment J1 or J2, wherein    each of the first set of cage connection apertures and each of the    second set of cage connection apertures is in effective connection    with a cage protrusion connector assembly.-   O2. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O1, wherein the    cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a protrusion connector    comprising a body, and an orifice in the body.-   O2.1. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O1 or O2,    wherein the cage protrusion connector assembly comprises one or more    fasteners on a first side of the body.-   O2.2. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O1    to O2.1, wherein the cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a    projected surface disposed around a portion of the orifice on a    second side of the body.-   O3. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O1 to    O2.2, wherein the one or more fasteners are two or more fasteners    disposed around the orifice.-   O4. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O2.1 or O3,    wherein the projected surface is configured to contact a portion of    a cage protrusion.-   O4.1 The rodent containment cage of embodiment O4, wherein the    projected surface is configured to position the cage in the rail    guide.-   O5. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O2 to    O4, which comprises a pin extending from the first side of the body.-   O6. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O2 to    O5, which cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a protrusion    connector gasket in sealing connection with the body of the    protrusion connector.-   O7. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O6, which    protrusion connector gasket comprises a protrusion connector gasket    orifice concentric with the orifice in the protrusion connector, an    annular flange around the protrusion connector gasket orifice on a    first surface of the protrusion connector gasket, one or more    grooves on a second surface of the protrusion connector gasket, and    one or more channels configured to receive the one or more fasteners    of the protrusion connector.-   O8. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O6 or O7, which    protrusion connector gasket comprises a bore configured to receive    the pin of embodiment O5.-   O9. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O7 or O8, which    annular flange comprises a surface configured to sealingly engage    with a surface of a cage protrusion.-   O10. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O5 or O9,    wherein the cage protrusion extends from a cage lid.-   O11. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O6    to O10, which cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a nozzle    in sealing connection with the protrusion connector gasket.-   O12. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O11, wherein the    nozzle comprises a nozzle orifice concentric with the orifice in the    protrusion connector gasket and one or more tabs configured to rest    in the one or more grooves of the protrusion connector gasket.-   O12.1. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O11, wherein    the nozzle comprises two or more nozzle orifices.-   O12.2. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O12 or O12.1,    wherein the nozzle comprises a cylindrical projection that    substantially defines a portion or all of an orifice perimeter.-   O12.3. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments    O12 to O12.2, wherein the nozzle comprises a rib projecting from a    nozzle surface or cylindrical projection in proximity to an orifice.-   O12.4. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O12.3, wherein    the rib has a semi-circular profile.-   O12.5. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O12.4, wherein    an edge of the rib is coextensive with a portion of an orifice    perimeter.-   O12.6. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O12.5, wherein    the rib circumscribes a portion of an orifice perimeter.-   O13. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O12, which    nozzle comprises an annular flange disposed around the nozzle    orifice on a first side of the nozzle opposite to the first side of    the protrusion connector body.-   O14. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O12    to O13, which nozzle comprises a bushing disposed within a nozzle    orifice.-   O15. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O11    to O14, which cage protrusion connector assembly comprises a nozzle    gasket in sealing connection with the nozzle.-   O16. The rodent containment cage rack of embodiment O15, which    nozzle gasket comprises a bore configured to receive the pin of    embodiment O5.-   O17. The rodent containment cage rack of any one of embodiments O1    to O16, which cage protrusion connector assembly is connected to a    surface of the wall of the support member in effective connection    with each of the cage connection apertures.-   O18. The rodent containment cage rack of O17, wherein the one or    more fasteners on the first side of the cage protrusion connector    body are fastened to fasteners on the wall or in the wall of the    support member.    Drawing Elements

Provided hereafter is a listing of some elements shown in the drawings.

Call out/ reference Item name and/or description number Rodentcontainment cage rack 500 Support members 502 1^(st) side member 5042^(nd) side member 506 1^(st) support member plenum 508 2^(nd) supportmember plenum 510 1^(st) set of cage connection apertures 512 2^(nd) setof cage connection apertures 514 Lower surface of support member 5161^(st) support member end aperture 518 2^(nd) support member endaperture 520 1^(st) side member plenum 522 2^(nd) side member plenum 5241^(st) side member apertures 526 2^(nd) side member apertures 528 Nozzle(aperture nozzle) See cage protrusion connection assembly Cage mountassembly (see below) 530 1^(st) side member upper aperture 532 2^(nd)side member upper aperture 534 Support member communication medium 536Side member communication medium 538 Support member communication mediumchannel 540 Side member communication medium channel 542 Side membercommunication aperture 543 Cage mount assembly communication mediumchannel 546 Support member wall or walls forming plenum 550 Side memberwall or walls forming plenum 551 Cage mount guide rail 552 Cage mountguide rail stem 554 Cage mount guide rail stop 553 Cage mount guild railcross projections 556, 557 Cage mount channel for comm. media 558 Cagemount assembly upper surface 560 Cage mount front module 562 Cage mountfront module reader 564, 564′ Cage mount front module plug 566 Cagemount front module beveled lip 568 Front module receptacle 569 ReaderLED's 565 Communication plugs 559 Trolley assembly 570 Trolley frametube 572 Trolley plate mounts 574 casters 576 Controller - top mounted580 Controller side mount 582 Air connector plate - supply 584 Airconnector plate aperture - supply 585 Air connector plate - exhaust 586Air connector plate aperture - exhaust 587 Air connector plate matingpins 588 Blower support protrusion 590 Power supply support recesses orindents 592 Modular blower system - blower 600 Air intake unit 602Baffle 603 Fan unit 604 Filter unit 606, 607 Blower edge 608 Blowersidewall 610 Baffle prefilter 612 HEPA filter 614 Pressure sensor port616 Spring loaded connectors 618 Base 620, 621 Stacking supportprotrusion 622 Blower air channel 623, 624 Modular blower system -exhaust 700 Air Exhaust unit 702 Fan unit 704 Filter unit 706, 707Blower edge 708 Blower sidewall 710 Air outlet connector 712 HEPA filter714 Pressure sensor 716 Spring loaded connectors 718 Base 720, 721Stacking support protrusion 722 Blower air channel 723, 724 Exhaustprefilter 726 Power Supply 740 Power supply wires 742 Cage protrusionconnection assembly 800 Body (cone guide assembly body) 802 Orifice(body orifice) 804 First side (body first side) 806 Fasteners (bodyfasteners) 808 Second side (body second side) 810 Cage protrusionconnection assembly lead in surface 811 Projected surface (cone guidestop surface) 812 Pin 814 Protrusion connection gasket 816 Protrusionconnection gasket orifice 818 Annular flange (gasket annular flange) 820Protrusion connection gasket 1^(st) surface 822 Protrusion connectiongasket 2^(nd) surface 824 Grooves (gasket groove) 826 Channels(protrusion connection gasket channel) 828 Protrusion connection gasketbore 830 Sealing surface 832 Nozzle 834 Nozzle orifice 836 Nozzleorifice (dual) 837 Tabs (nozzle tabs) 838 Nozzle rib 839 Nozzle annularflange 840 Cylindrical protrusion 841a Cylindrical protrusion edge 841bCorner 841c Nozzle first side 842 Beveled or curved surface 843 Nozzlebushing 844 Nozzle bushing (dual) 845 Nozzle second side 846 Nozzlesecond side (dual) 847 Nozzle gasket 848 Beveled or curved surface(dual) 849 Nozzle gasket bore 850 Protrusion gasket annular bevel(optional) 852 Cage protrusion 860 Cage protrusion aperture 862 Cageprotrusion side surface 864 Circuit board hub 900 Circuit board 902Bores for mounting to air connector 904 Deutsch receptacle 906 Blindmate connector 908 Controller port 910 eSATA plug receptacle 912 Blowercontrol board 920 Blower control board connector (to circuit board hub)922 Rack Controller (Master controller) 930 Rodent containment cage rack500 Support members 502 1^(st) side member 504 2^(nd) side member 5061^(st) support member plenum 508 2^(nd) support member plenum 510 1^(st)set of cage connection apertures 512 2^(nd) set of cage connectionapertures 514 Lower surface of support member 516 1^(st) support memberend aperture 518 2^(nd) support member end aperture 520 1^(st) sidemember plenum 522 2^(nd) side member plenum 524 1^(st) side memberapertures 526 2^(nd) side member apertures 528 Nozzle (aperture nozzle)See cage protrusion connection assembly Cage mount assembly (see below)530 1^(st) side member upper aperture 532 2^(nd) side member upperaperture 534 Support member communication medium 536 Side membercommunication medium 538 Support member communication medium channel 540Side member communication medium channel 542 Side member communicationaperture 543 Cage mount assembly communication medium channel 546Support member wall or walls forming plenum 550 Side member wall orwalls forming plenum 551 Cage mount guide rail 552 Cage mount guide railstem 554 Cage mount guild rail cross projections 556, 557 Cage mountchannel for comm. media 558 Cage mount assembly upper surface 560 Cagemount front module 562 Cage mount front module reader 564 Cage mountfront module plug 566 Cage mount front module beveled lip 568 Frontmodule receptacle 569 Reader LED's 565 Communication plugs 559 Trolleyassembly 570 Trolley frame tube 572 Trolley plate mounts 574 casters 576Controller - top mounted (see circuit board call outs) 930 Controllerside mount 582 Air connector plate - supply 584 Air connector plateaperture - supply 585 Air connector plate - exhaust 586 Air connectorplate aperture - exhaust 587 Air connector plate mating pins 588 Blowersupport protrusion 590 Power supply support recesses or indents 592Modular blower system - blower 600 Air intake unit 602 Baffle 603 Fanunit 604 Filter unit 606, 607 Blower edge 608 Blower sidewall 610 Bafflepre-filter 612 HEPA filter 614 Pressure sensor port 616 Spring loadedconnectors 618 Base 620, 621 Stacking support protrusion 622 Blower airchannel 623, 624 Modular blower system - exhaust 700 Air Exhaust unit702 Fan unit 704 Filter unit 706, 707 Blower edge 708 Blower sidewall710 Air outlet connector 712 HEPA filter 714 Pressure sensor 716 Springloaded connectors 718 Base 720, 721 Stacking support protrusion 722Blower air channel 723, 724 Exhaust pre-filter 726 Stabilizing connector727 Power Supply 740 Power supply wires 742 Cage protrusion connectionassembly 800 Body (cone guide assembly body) 802 Orifice (body orifice)804 First side (body first side) 806 Fasteners (body fasteners) 808Second side (body second side) 810 Cage protrusion connection assemblylead in surface 811 Projected surface (cone guide stop surface) 812 Pin814 Protrusion connection gasket 816 Protrusion connection gasketorifice 818 Annular flange (gasket annular flange) 820 Protrusionconnection gasket 1^(st) surface 822 Protrusion connection gasket 2^(nd)surface 824 Grooves (gasket groove) 826 Channels (protrusion connectiongasket channel) 828 Protrusion connection gasket bore 830 Sealingsurface 832 Nozzle 834 Nozzle orifice 836 Nozzle orifice (dual) 837 Tabs(nozzle tabs) 838 Nozzle rib 839 Nozzle annular flange 840 Cylindricalprotrusion 841a Cylindrical protrusion edge 841b Corner 841c Nozzlefirst side 842 Beveled or curved surface 843 Nozzle bushing 844 Nozzlebushing (dual) 845 Nozzle second side 846 Nozzle second side (dual) 847Nozzle gasket 848 Beveled or curved surface (dual) 849 Nozzle gasketbore 850 Protrusion gasket annular bevel (optional) 852 Cage protrusion860 Cage protrusion aperture 862 Cage protrusion side surface 864Circuit board hub 900 Circuit board 902 Bores for mounting to airconnector 904 Deutsch receptacle 906 Blind mate connector 908 Controllerport 910 eSATA plug receptacle 912 Blower control board 920 Blowercontrol board connector (to circuit board hub) 922 Rack Controller(Master controller) 930The entirety of each patent, patent application, publication anddocument referenced herein hereby is incorporated by reference. Citationof the above patents, patent applications, publications and documents isnot an admission that any of the foregoing is pertinent prior art, nordoes it constitute any admission as to the contents or date of thesepublications or documents.Modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from thebasic aspects of the technology. Although the technology has beendescribed in substantial detail with reference to one or more specificembodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made to the embodiments specifically disclosed in thisapplication, yet these modifications and improvements are within thescope and spirit of the technology.The technology illustratively described herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein.Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms“comprising,” “consisting essentially of,” and “consisting of” may bereplaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressionswhich have been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation, and use of such terms and expressions do not exclude anyequivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, andvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the technologyclaimed. The term “a” or “an” can refer to one of or a plurality of theelements it modifies (e.g., “a reagent” can mean one or more reagents)unless it is contextually clear either one of the elements or more thanone of the elements is described. The term “about” as used herein refersto a value within 10% of the underlying parameter (i.e., plus or minus10%), and use of the term “about” at the beginning of a string of valuesmodifies each of the values (i.e., “about 1, 2 and 3” refers to about 1,about 2 and about 3). For example, a weight of “about 100 grams” caninclude weights between 90 grams and 110 grams. Further, when a listingof values is described herein (e.g., about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85% or86%) the listing includes all intermediate and fractional values thereof(e.g., 54%, 85.4%). Thus, it should be understood that although thepresent technology has been specifically disclosed by representativeembodiments and optional features, modification and variation of theconcepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in theart, and such modifications and variations are considered within thescope of this technology.Certain embodiments of the technology are set forth in the claim(s) thatfollow(s).

What is claimed is:
 1. A rodent containment cage system, comprising: arack comprising a plurality of first cage mount assemblies and pluralityof second cage mount assemblies; a plurality of detectors; and aplurality of cages, wherein: one of the detectors is attached to each ofthe first cage mount assemblies and another one of the detectors isattached to each of the second cage mount assemblies; each of the cagescomprises a first cage component; each first cage component comprises afirst detectable identifier; each of the cages is engaged with andcontacts one of the first cage mount assemblies and one of the secondcage mount assemblies; and the one of the detectors attached to one ofthe first cage mount assemblies with which one of the cages is engagedand contacts, or the one of the detectors attached to one of the secondcage mount assemblies with which one of the cages is engaged andcontacts is configured to detect the first detectable identifier of thefirst cage component of the one of the cages.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the first detectable identifier is selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code, a serial number, a discoloring polymer, areflective identifier, a non-reflective identifier, a symbolic code, aradio frequency identifier, a magnetic identifier, a chemical sensoridentifier, and combinations thereof.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe first detectable identifier is configured to serve as a clockingidentifier, a cage position identifier, a content identifier, or acombination thereof.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the firstdetectable identifier is a bar code.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereineach of the detectors attached to each of the first cage mountassemblies and each of the detectors attached to each of the second cagemount assemblies employ materials selected from the group consisting ofa magnetic optical sensing component, an automatic sensing component, afluorescence sensing component, a mechanical sensing component, amagnetic sensing component, an optical sensing component, a chemicalsensing component and a combination thereof.
 6. The system of claim 1,which further comprises a display wherein: the display is located on therack of the system; or the display is located in a location remote fromthe rack.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cage component isselected from the group consisting of a cage lid component, a cage basecomponent, an air supply or air exhaust component, a water supplycomponent, a sensor component, a filter component, a baffle component, afeeder component, and a bedding component.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the first cage component is a cage base component.
 9. The systemof claim 1, wherein each of the detectors attached to each of the firstcage mount assemblies and each of the detectors attached to each of thesecond cage mount assemblies are selected from the group consisting of apen type reader, a laser scanner, a charged coupled device (CCD) reader,a camera based reader, a magnetic reader and a radio frequencyidentifier (RFID) reader.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of thedetectors attached to each of the first cage mount assemblies isconfigured to detect the first detectable identifier before, during orafter the first detectable identifier is in detectable proximity, oreach of the detectors attached to each of the second cage mountassemblies is configured to detect the first identifier before, duringor after the second detectable identifier is in detectable proximity.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first detectable identifier ofone of the cages is configured to move past the one of the detectorsattached to each the first cage mount assemblies or the one of thedetectors attached to each one of the second cage mount assemblies. 12.The system of claim 1, wherein each of the detectors attached to each ofthe first cage mount assemblies is part of a front module of each of thefirstcage mount assemblies, and each of the detectors attached to eachof the second cage mount assemblies is part of a front module of each ofthe second cage mount assemblies.
 13. A rodent containment cage system,comprising: a rack comprising a plurality of first cage mount assembliesand plurality of second cage mount assemblies; a plurality of detectors;and a plurality of cages, wherein: one of the detectors is attached toeach of the first cage mount assemblies and one of the detectors isattached to each of the second cage mount assemblies; each of the cagescomprises a first cage component and a second cage component; each firstcage component comprises a first detectable identifier and each secondcage component comprises a second detectable identifier; each of thecages is engaged with and contacts one of the first cage mountassemblies and one of the second cage mount assemblies; and the one ofthe detectors attached to one of the first cage mount assemblies withwhich one of the cages is engaged and contacts is configured to detectthe first detectable identifier of the first cage component, and the oneof the detectors attached to one of the second cage mount assemblieswith which one of the cages is engaged and contacts is configured todetect the second detectable identifier of the second cage component, orthe one of the detectors attached to one of the first cage mountassemblies with which one of the cages is engaged and contacts isconfigured to detect the first detectable identifier of the first cagecomponent and the second detectable identifier of the second cagecomponent, or the one of the detectors attached to one of the secondcage mount assemblies with which the of the cages is engaged andcontacts is configured to detect the first detectable identifier of thefirst cage component and the second detectable identifier of the secondcage component.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of thedetectors attached to each of the first cage mount assemblies isconfigured to detect the first detectable identifier before, during orafter the first detectable identifier is in detectable proximity, andeach of the detectors attached to each of the of the second cage mountassemblies is configured to detect the second identifier before, duringor after the second detectable identifier is in detectable proximity, oreach of the detectors attached to each of the first cage mountassemblies is configured to detect the first detectable identifier ofthe first cage component and the second detectable identifier of thesecond cage component before, during or after the first and seconddetectable identifiers are in detectable proximity, or each of thedetectors attached to each of the second cage mount assemblies isconfigured to detect the first detectable identifier of the first cagecomponent and the second detectable identifier of the second cagecomponent before, during or after the first and second detectableidentifiers are in detectable proximity.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the first detectable identifier of the one of the cages isconfigured to move past the one of the detectors attached to each of thefirst cage mount assemblies and the second detectable identifier of theone of the cages is configured to move past the one of the detectorsattached to each of the second cage mount assemblies, or the firstdetectable identifier and the second detectable identifier of the one ofthe cages are configured to move past the one of the detectors attachedto each of the first cage mount assemblies, or the first detectableidentifier and the second detectable identifier of the one of the cagesare configured to move past the one of the detectors attached to each ofthe second cage mount assemblies.
 16. The system of claim 13, whereineach of the detectors attached to each of the first cage mountassemblies is part of a front module of each of the first cage mountassemblies, and each of the detectors attached to each of the secondcagemount assemblies is part of a front module of each of the second cagemount assemblies.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first cagecomponent and the second cage component are selected from the groupconsisting of a cage lid component, a cage base component, an air supplyor air exhaust component, a water supply component, a sensor component,a filter component, a baffle component, a feeder component, and abedding component.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first cagecomponent is a cage base component.
 19. The system of claim 17, whereinthe first cage component is a cage base component and the second cagecomponent is a cage lid component, or the first cage component is a cagelid component and the second cage component is a cage base component.20. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second detectableidentifiers are selected from the group consisting of a bar code, aserial number, a discoloring polymer, a reflective identifier, anon-reflective identifier, a symbolic code, a radio frequencyidentifier, a magnetic identifier, a chemical sensor identifier, andcombinations thereof.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first andsecond detectable identifiers are configured to serve as a clockingidentifier, a cage position identifier, a content identifier, or acombination thereof.
 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the first andsecond detectable identifiers are bar codes.
 23. The system of claim 13,wherein each of the detectors attached to each of the first cage mountassemblies and each of the detectors attached to each of the second cagemount assemblies employ materials selected from the group consisting ofa magnetic optical sensing component, an automatic sensing component, afluorescence sensing component, a mechanical sensing component, amagnetic sensing component, an optical sensing component, a chemicalsensing component and a combination thereof.
 24. The system of claim 13,wherein each of the detectors attached to each of the first cage mountassemblies and each of the detectors attached to each of the second cagemount assemblies are selected from the group consisting of a pen typereader, a laser scanner, a charged coupled device (CCD) reader, a camerabased reader, a magnetic reader and a radio frequency identifier (RFID)reader.
 25. The system of claim 13, which further comprises a displaywherein: the display is located on the rack of the system; or thedisplay is located in a location remote from the rack.
 26. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the second cage component covers the first detectableidentifier.
 27. The system of claim 13, wherein the first cagecomponent, the second cage component or the first and second cagecomponents are substantially transparent.